With the Christmas holiday shopping season underway, Grey County Ontario Provincial Police suggest a number of ways to ensure that your purchases make it under the Christmas tree and not into the hands of an opportunistic thief. Below are some crime prevention tips for consumers to ensure their safety and security:

Keep wallets and purses safely secured on your person at all times.

Don't carry large amounts of currency. Use debit/credit cards and remember to always protect and shield your PIN number.

Don't carry large amounts of gifts. Take them to your car and secure them in a trunk. In the case of sport utility vehicles or pick-up trucks, place them on the floor and cover them with a blanket.

Always make sure your vehicle is locked.

An open window or an unlocked door is an invitation to thieves. The OPP "Lock It or Lose It" initiative remind drivers to always:

- park your vehicle in a well-lit area

- roll up the vehicles' windows

- keep valuables out of sight

- lock the doors and pocket the keys.

Remember - thefts from vehicles are preventable.

source: media release, Grey County OPP