POLICE are warning people to watch out for a skilled group of criminals who are targeting valuables left in cars near beauty spots in the county.

Over the past week, cars parked in and around Marlborough have been raided.

A family of tourists from America had been in the country for just six hours on Thursday were visiting Avebury when the front passenger window of their grey Citroen Picasso hire car, parked in the National Trust car park near the stone circle, was smashed.

All their important documents including passports, a new white iPhone 5s, a number of UK travel books and a small rucksack containing clothes were stolen sometime between 7.30-9.30pm, leaving the family devastated.

The next day another car in Avebury was broken into. Thieves got into the Kia Cee'd by smashing the rear window sometime between 11am and 1pm. A camera, MacBooks, backpacks and passports were stolen.

A rear windscreen of a Vauxhall Astra was also smashed while a woman visited Clench Common between 1.45pm and 2.30pm on Friday and her handbag was taken.

The same day at Hackpen Hill, near Broad Hinton, a Peugeot 206 was broken into and a bag with keys, a driving licence, cards and cash was taken between 10am and 2.30pm.

At the West Kennet Long Barrow car park a handbag was taken from a Volkswagen Sharan on Sunday.

Police believe the thieves are professionals and watch visitors park at the popular countryside destinations to see if they take their valuables with them or leave them in the boot or concealed in the car.

Even hiding valuables in a boot will not deter the thieves, says Marlborough and Pewsey Sgt Clare Wallace.

“It is not enough to hide items under seats or in the boot of vehicles," she said.

"The majority of offences we have had this year have been break-ins into the boots of vehicles and bags removed from under clothing and blankets.

“Please don’t leave charging leads for sat navs or mobile phones in vehicles either, as this may give the impression that electrical equipment has been left inside the car.

“We believe that the people responsible work in teams and watch for visitors placing items under seats, clothing or in the boot of your car and then break in once you have gone.

"Don’t give them the opportunity to make you a victim of crime.”

If you were in the area at the time or any of the incidents and saw anybody acting suspiciously, call police on 101. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously if preferred. Marlborough and Pewsey Neighbourhood Policing teams can also be contacted for security advice.