A warning has been issued to villagers after three cars were smashed outside a church.

Police were called at 4.38pm following reports that the windows of a Nissan Juke, a Renault Clio and a BMW 32OD – which were parked on Mortlock Street – had been smashed.

A handbag containing a purse, cash, car keys, cosmetics, an iPad and cigarettes, was stolen from underneath the front passenger seat of one of the cars.

A spokesman for the police said: “We are reminding members of the public not to leave valuables in unattended vehicles, even if they are out of sight.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.