POLICE are visiting caravan parks in a popular Queensland seaside town and delivering a two-pronged warning to tourists.

This follows an alarming rise in thefts at Hervey Bay ... and the introduction of $40 fines for people who leave their vehicles unlocked.

Thousands of caravanners and other tourist will soon flock into the area for the festive season and police do not want them to fall prey to opportunist thieves.

Dozens of petty thefts at the town's caravan parks were reported as caravan parks bulged with grey nomads seeking Queensland's welcome winter sun. They flooded into town to escape the chilly climes of the southern states.

Police have now begun slapping fines on people who leave their cars and vehicles unlocked under a new 'Lock It or Cop It" campaign.

Drivers leaving their windows down more than five centimetres will also risk a fine.

A Queensland Police spokesperson said: "Officers will be doing 'walk-throughs" of caravan parks to warn tourists about vehicle crime and the new campaign."

 

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