PARENTS preparing for the festive season have been warned that the Grinch could steal Christmas - if they stash their presents in their cars.

Cops in the city's Pollok issued a warning to residents at recent meeting to stop them becoming a victim of festive theft.

Those attending the Old Pollok Tenants and Residents Association were urged not to hide their Christmas presents in cars by the officers from Glasgow's South West Division.

The cops said it was an obvious place to stash Christmas presents in the car - and it made them an easy target for theft.

Greater Pollok Councillor Rhiannon Spear attended the meeting and re-iterated the warning from cops.

She said: "At a recent community council, the police highlighted safety ahead of Christmas and advised residents not to hide any Christmas presents within their car before the big day.

"Parents might think this is a safe place because their kids wouldn’t think of looking there. But the advice from the police is that thieves will, they know this is an obvious place and stashing presents in the car just hands them such an easy target."

She added: "The advice from the police is worth being reminded of: lock your car, don’t hide presents in it and keep your keys out of plain sight.

"We all want to make sure that Santa delivers his presents and we all have a good Christmas morning."

Police Scotland also warn that people can carry out extra measures to protect their household in the run up to Christmas.

The force says that householders should leave their light on when out to deter any potential thieves.

Presents and valuables should be kept out of sight.

You can also protect your household by opening and closing curtains at the appropriate time of day, and not advertising on social media when you are out helps to keep criminals away.

Anyone who wants to report a theft can contact Police Scotland on 101.