Mounties are investigating a string of thefts from community mailboxes near Errington and Qualicum Beach.

Oceanside RCMP say four mailboxes in the area were broken into overnight Monday, but it's unclear how many letters or packages were snatched by the Grinch-like thieves.

"They were uncertain of how much mail, if any, was missing," said RCMP spokesman Cpl. Jesse Foreman.

Investigators say it's no coincidence that each case of vandalism occurred in rural areas under the cover of darkness.

"Normally those are the ones that are hit, unfortunately, is the areas that not a lot of people would see this happen, especially in the middle of the night," said Foreman.

Mounties say Canada Post plans to replace all of its older community mailboxes with newer models that are tougher to tamper with.

Older boxes that have already been vandalized or broken into are first in line to be replaced.

Canada Post has listed a number of tips on preventing mail theft on its website, including registering mail so packages must be signed for upon delivery, and signing up for flex delivery, which allows customers to pick up their items at a post office.