Kent Police is reminding people to keep their vehicles secure following a series of thefts around the east of the county.

In the summer months there tends to be an increase in vehicle crime, which is partly due to people leaving windows or sunroofs open or forgetting to lock up.

A number of areas in East Kent have suffered spates of thefts from vehicles in recent weeks.

There were ten thefts from vehicles reported in the Canterbury district overnight on Wednesday, August 23.

A number of offences have been committed in the Ashfordand Shepway districts including the theft of a wallet from a car parked on the driveway of a property in Tenterden, on Tuesday, August 8.

Several reported incidents have taken place in Deal including two in Mongeham Road between Sunday, August 20 and Tuesday, August 22. There was also a report of a vehicle being interfered with in Hamilton Road.

"Opportunist thieves do not need an invitation to help themselves to items that do not belong to them so it is important we do all we can to stop them." - Andrew Pritchard, superintendent at Kent Police.

In Thanet a number of parked vans have been targeted and tools stolen from them over the past fortnight.

Kent Police Superintendent Andrew Pritchard said: "It is important to remember that thieves will strike wherever they see an opportunity and do not discriminate by town or village.

"We should all remember to keep our vehicles locked and secure at all times, and to ensure any valuables are removed when we are not there to keep them safe.

"Let’s not make it easier for criminals by leaving windows and sunroofs open in the warm weather, even when our vehicles are parked on driveways, outside our homes or in other places where we might assume they will not be targeted.

"Opportunist thieves do not need an invitation to help themselves to items that do not belong to them so it is important we do all we can to stop them."

Some tips to prevent vehicle break-in's include: having an alarm on your vehicle and locking it; removing items left inside; securing belongings in your boot if you need to leave your vehicle ; parking in a secure or well-lit location; and to wipe away satnav suction marks on your windscreen so thieves do not think the satnav is still inside.