A man has been jailed after he smashed a car window and stole items and cash at a rural beauty spot near Highclere.

Edward Parker, 40, of no fixed abode, used an orange car safety hammer to smash the window of a Vauxhall Combo on Penwood Road.

He then stole a bag containing dog food and £20 in cash at around 11.15am on Thursday 25 July last year.

Officers launched an investigation and made an arrest. Parker was later charged with theft from a motor vehicle and driving while disqualified.

He pleaded guilty to both offences and was jailed for eight weeks at Basingstoke Magistrates Court on Thursday 30 January.

Basingstoke Rural PC Simon Denton said: “The victim in this case had parked her car at a local beauty spot and returned to find that her window had been smashed and items had been stolen.

“I hope this result sends a message that we take incidents like this extremely seriously, and we do all we can to ensure offenders face the consequences of their actions.

“Theft from motor vehicles offences are often opportunistic. Offenders will try door handles to see if it’s been left unlocked or smash windows to grab items left inside. Thieves aren’t picky, they will take whatever is there and look at it later to see if it’s of any value.

“We know people do not intentionally leave belongings in cars, however please double check that nothing has been left behind.”

Please continue to report these incidents to us as every piece of information helps us build up our intelligence picture. Every report is reviewed and tells us what is going on and where so we can plan and target our resources better.

To make a report contact us on 101 or online via our website at https://www.hampshire.police.uk/

If a crime is in progress, please call 999.

For more advice to help you keep your car safe from thieves visit our website: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/keeping-vehicles-safe/vehicle-safe-and-sound/