Sat navs cannot find their way past opportune thieves

Police are warning motorists - particularly company car owners - to take their sat navs with them and not hide them in their vehicle following an increase in thefts of sat navs in the north of the county. The latest victims of theft include an ambulance driver and the owners of a number of vehicles that had been left for only a few minutes.

PC Ian King of Warwickshire Police Community Safety Unit said "There has been an increase in the number of thefts of satellite navigation systems from unattended motor vehicles across the Northern area. It would appear that these are primarily company owned vehicles where such systems are an essential piece of equipment for the driver.

PC King added "We would suggest companies advise their drivers, where possible, to remove the screen of the satellite system from their vehicle when it is to be left unattended for any period of time. This also applies to those systems installed in privately owned vehicles. Satellite navigation systems are expensive to install and replace. Should your system be stolen because you left it in your vehicle, not only will it cause inconvenience, your insurance company could refuse to pay out for its loss. Please remember that prevention is better than cure. Removing opportunities for this type of crime by simply taking the sytem out of your vehicle will reduce your chances of becoming a victim."

The latest incidents indicate that thieves know that people try to hide things in glove boxes. The only sure way to stop your sat nav being stolen from your vehicle is not to leave it in your vehicle. Take it with you. Even if you only plan to be away for a few minutes.

COLESHILL Incident 340 of 16 May: between 14.15 and 14.30 hours on Tuesday 16 May a Vauxhall Corsa was broken into outside a farm in Church Lane, Lea Marston and a Tom Tom Sat Nav stolen from the glove box.

NUNEATON Incident 377 of 16 May: between 15.30 and 15.35 hours on Tuesday 16 May a Citroen Belingo parked in ASDA, Newtown Road was broken into and a CD player, sat nav cradle and a case of software CDs were stolen. Police are viewing CCTV.

Incident 435 of 16 May 2006: An HP IPAC and a sat nav were stolen from an MG Rover parked at Manor Park Community School, Beaumont Road, between 16.05 and 16.15 hours on Tuesday 16 May. The car alarm was activated.

It seems that thieves have no conscience and will even steal from an ambulance. Incident 210 of 16 May: Between 10.30 and 10.40 hours on 16 May a hand held PC/phone Xda II (which can be used in conjunction with some sat navs) was stolen whilst the ambulance crew were loading a patient through the side door of the ambulance whilst it was parked in Zorrina Close.

These are the latest examples of thefts of sat navs and all occured in one 24 hour period. If you would like further examples, please contact the northern press officer at Bedworth on 01926 415746.

Police are appealing for witnesses to all of the above incidents. Please contact Bedworth Police Station 02476 643 111 or police at Nuneaton Justice Centre on 02476 641 111

Should you require any further information regarding crime prevention please contact PC Ian King on 01827 718092 x3677 or see the Warwickshire Police website on www.warwickshire.police.uk