West Vancouver police have shared a photograph over social media, which they hope will remind residents of the perils of leaving food in their vehicles.

<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wvpdpatrol?src=hash">#wvpdpatrol</a> reminder to residents in areas frequented by bears to remove any food from the interior of your vehicles <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bearslovebackseateats?src=hash">#bearslovebackseateats</a> —@WestVanPolice

"It's something that I've seen in the last couple years especially in the British Properties where the bears are so active," said Cpl. Trevor Griffiths about the photo of a car that appears to have been ripped apart.

Griffiths said the damage was reported by a resident near Taylor Way and the Trans Canada Highway around 10:30 a.m. PT on Sunday.

Originally the vehicle's owner told police they thought someone had broken into their car, but upon inspection, officers realized the culprit had been a bear.

One window was smashed, the leather seats were torn apart and even the side air bags were ripped.

"It's probably about $10,000 worth in damage," said Griffith who added that food had been left behind in the car.

<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wvpdpatrol?src=hash">#wvpdpatrol</a> here's picture of a vehicle damaged in the BP's by a bear that broke in to get at the food left inside <a href="https://t.co/gwCNZrGAbc">pic.twitter.com/gwCNZrGAbc</a> —@WestVanPolice

​with files from Lien Yeung.