16 extra Gardaí are on the beat in Carlow and Kilkenny today as part of a national day of action to counteract retail crime.
Gardaí are warning Christmas shoppers to be on the lookout for opportunistic thieves today as the 8th of December is traditionally a day when a lot of the Christmas shopping gets done.
The usual reminder is to keep your bags in site and not to leave anything valuable visible in your car.
Advice leaflets are being handed out around Kilkenny City and Carlow Town.
Over the next few weeks in the lead up to Christmas, extra Gardaí will be visible around both counties.