A SECOND motorist in a week has had their car broken into while watching a film at a popular cinema complex in Newport.

Charlene Keohane, 24, from Caerleon, was devastated to find her car was raided while she was in the UGC Cinema at the Newport Retail Park, Spytty.

Thieves forced the front passenger door lock of her Fiat Punto and stole a bag of clothes from the boot sometime between 4.30pm and 8.30pm on Thursday.

The car park is run by Newport firm Johnsey Estates, which has one security guard covering the area on weekdays.

The Argus Car Safe campaign has a main objective of getting car park operators to be more accountable for security.

Miss Keohane told the Argus: "The car was parked outside the doorway, so I was absolutely gutted.

"I think the car park needs some sort of CCTV or more security patrolling. They don't patrol enough at the moment if they can get into a car that easy."

She said no objects were on show in the car and that she had taken the security face off her stereo so that would not be stolen.

Yesterday, police forensic experts were looking at the car for fingerprint and DNA evidence.

Last Sunday night, Lee Woodbury, 24, had his CD stereo system and mobile phone stolen from his car while he watched a film at the UGC after his car lock was forced.

A Johnsey Estates spokeswoman said Pontyclun-based First on Sight Security had been hired to look after Newport Retail Park 18 months ago.

She said no complaints had been made about the firm to her knowledge.

She was not able to comment on the issue of improving security as the senior partners are on holiday.

A spokesman for First on Sight Security said: "We have two guards at the weekend and one on weekdays.

"We are covering a very large estate, and if there is a problem in the cinema or Megabowl the guards are asked to assist.

"They are not just guarding the car park, as some people would assume."

He said it was up to Johnsey Estates how many security guards were employed at Newport Retail Park.

A spokeswoman for UGC cinemas said: "There is a very low level of crime at the car park compared to other areas."