Several cars have had their windows smashed in, while others were forced open, or had been left unlocked and had spare change stolen.

The first incident happened on Friday according to police. Someone forced their way into a white transit van parked at the Nambucca Plaza and stole a wallet from inside.

A credit card from the wallet has since been used to make a transaction and police are making inquiries about that.

Several windows were also smashed at the Plaza that same night.

Then on Sunday a caravan was broken into at the Island Golf Club in Nambucca Heads.

On Tuesday afternoon a car window was smashed at the Macksville Hospital, then later that evening another two vehicles in North Macksville were broken into - one had its window smashed, the other was left unlocked.

Several hours later, in the early hours of Wednesday morning, two more cars were broken into in Cohalan St in Bowraville.

Police said the nature of these crimes is opportunistic; none of the locations had CCTV operating nearby and apart from the wallet, nothing more than loose coins and ashtrays full of cigarette butts were taken.

They also said it's fairly unlikely the incidents in the three towns are connected.

There has been discussion in the community about whether it's worthwhile locking cars if people are determined to break in by smashing windows.

Acting Sergeant Grant Ellis said the best course of action would be for owners to always lock their vehicles but also make sure nothing of value is kept in cars - even coins.

He also encouraged people to report all incidents and any suspicious behaviour to local police.

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