Theft is always a fear when you are doing your Christmas shopping, with the average family spending €600 on gifts alone last Christmas according to the Irish League of Credit Unions, and losing those gifts to a thief isn't something most families can afford.
An Garda Síochána is urging Christmas shoppers to be vigilant of theft, especially in retail car parks this month.
"Customers should be careful while shopping. Always park in well-lit and secure areas. When you leave your car, lock all doors and windows and double check to make sure. Don’t leave property or cash on view, take it with you," said Garda Sergeant Kelvin Courtney.
One family discovered this the hard way, after €700 worth of Christmas shopping was stolen from the carpark of Dundrum Town Shopping Centre.
The goods were allegedly taken from the boot of the car by unknown thieves while the victim had a bite to eat in the shopping complex, according to a Facebook post by the victims sister.
"Last night my little brother went shopping in Dundrum Town Centre, he had spent €700 on Christmas presents and when he was finished he dropped them out to the car went for something to eat and some little smelly runt robbed all his stuff even down to his over night bag with his pjs in it," according to the post.
Dundrum Town Centre is working with both Tallagh and Dundrum Garda stations in the hopes of catching the culprit.
"It's very unfortunate. There will always be people who prey on people at this time of year when they are distracted," said a Dundrum Town Centre spokesperson.
The investigation is ongoing, according to the Gardaí.
However, Gardaí warn that carparks aren't the only place that shoppers need to be vigilant.
"There are also over 100 thefts from customers in shops every month. Handbags are being targeted when left in trolleys or hanging on buggies."
"The handbag itself isn’t always the item that is taken, sometimes objects within the handbag are targeted too and often they are not immediately noticed missing by the owner. Mobile phones are the most commonly stolen object,” say Gardaí.
Incidents are most common on Tuesdays and Fridays between 12 noon and 6pm, and the commonly stolen items are electronics, handbags and gifts.
With only one week left to get the Christmas shopping done, thieves could get desperate, so be sure to stay vigilant.
