Satellite navigation systems and car stereos are at risk of theft

Police and other agencies patrolled car parks in Wellingborough where there has been a high rate of thefts of items from vehicles.

A total of 137 cars, parked at the Swansgate multi-storey in Jackson's Lane and Morrison's supermarket car parks, had expensive items on display.

Police said most thefts would be preventable if drivers hid valuables.

Goods on display inside cars included satellite navigation systems, mobile phones, jackets, music systems and bags, which police said were a "clear invitation for opportunist thieves to break in".

Crime prevention

Officers carrying out the checks, with community support officers and staff from Wellingborough Council, said there was a problem with car crime in Wellingborough town centre.

More than a thousand leaflets on preventing car crime have been handed to drivers using the car parks where the patrols were carried out.

Pc Samantha Calton said: "It was staggering to find such a large number of vehicles at clear risk of crime.

"Motorists must ensure that they take all their valuables from their vehicle when left unattended."