MOTORISTS are being urged not to leave satellite navigation systems in cars and vans as they are a target for criminals.

Since September there has been a sharp increase in thefts from vehicles in Henley and the theft of sat-navs' has accounted for almost half of these incidents.

Police believe that the thieves look for signs that there may be a sat-nav in the vehicle, such as a cradle attached to the windscreen, or even just the marks where the cradle has been. They will then often smash a window in an attempt to find the sat nav, as motorists often try to hide them in the glove box or under a seat.

Julia Wheeler, Henley crime reduction advisor said: "We are very concerned about this rising trend to break into vehicles in the town to steal sat navs.

"As a result police are issuing dusters to motorists to wipe away the marks on the windscreen where the cradle has been, and hangers to put on the internal mirror to indicate that nothing is left in the vehicle. Both items are free of charge at Henley police station."

She offered the following advice to motorists:

  • Remove your sat nav from the vehicle when it is left unattended
  • Remove the cradle/sat nav holder from the windscreen and use a duster to wipe away the tell tale marks from the windscreen
  • Once your valuables are removed put a notice in your car indicating that there is nothing of value left in the vehicle.