A SPATE of car break-ins has meant police are patrolling beauty spots and car parks to deter thieves.

West Mercia Police said officers had been patrolling areas around Hereford.

The force also reminded drivers to make sure there were no valuable left on show, and their cars were locked and secured when leaving them parked up.

Police said Breinton Springs car park was one area they visited over the weekend after a "number of vehicles" had been broken into over the last few months.

Open all year round and boasting free parking, Breinton Springs is just outside of Hereford on the river Wye, made up of a small car park, cider orchard, woodland and floodplain.

The freshwater spring can be accessed near the car park by following a sloping path towards the river, and the site includes an earthwork designated as a scheduled ancient monument.

This includes a moated camp, a deserted medieval village and an old ford site, Visit Herefordshire said.