A Dublin councillor has released CCTV footage of a suspected thief looking for potential cars to nick in a frightening warning to locals before Christmas.
Councillor for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Michael Fleming warned south Dublin residents that there has been a sharp increase in car theft crime following a spate of suspicious activity in several estates this week.
He told Dublin Live that "dozens of people" had contacted him in the last four days from Dundrum, Stepaside and surrounding areas.
Councillor Fleming said: "The consensus is that there is a silver four door saloon car with tinted windows driving through estates at around 4am each morning and it is believed that the passenger gets out and looks into parked cars.
"In the last 48 hours, I have received reports of similar incidents from people living on Glenamuck Road, Sandyford Hall, Balally Park, Kilcross, The Gallops.
"I have conveyed this information to the Gardaí and there will be targeted patrols in our area to try and prevent further crimes happening."
He added: "I'm urging people, please do not leave valuables in sight in your parked cars and ensure that your car is locked at night."
"This is now a very serious issue within our community. One that has affected so many people in the last week in particular.
