Taxi drivers are being targeted in Canterbury by a hooded, cycle-riding smash and grab thief who has snatched hundreds of pounds from their cabs.

More than a dozen vehicles have been attacked while parked up for the night and now police are urging drivers not to leave valuables in them.

The spate of thefts over the last fortnight has happened across the city including the Spring Lane estate, Northgate and Wincheap and the same offender is thought to be responsible.

As well as cash, the thieves have stolen sat navs, cameras and other valuables.

In each incident, the driver’s window has been smashed landing the owner with a hefty repair bill and taking the vehicle out of service.

The latest to be targeted was a VW Passat parked in the St George’s Centre which was broken into between 3.50pm and 5.55pm on Sunday. Thieves caused £150 damage and stole £50 in cash

The day before another VW Passat parked in Sullivan Close, Wincheap, was broken into overnight when £150 worth damage was caused and £45 in cash taken.

On December 30, a Skoda Fabia was targeted in Hawthorn Avenue overnight and £50 cash taken and £100 of damage caused.

The thieves took £30 and caused £75 in damage to a Skoda Octavia parked in Franklyn Road overnight on December 30 and a Skoda Superb was targeted the previous night in Hampshire Road when £150 was taken and £150 in damage caused.

An unknown quantity of cash was stolen from a Toyota Avensis parked in Salisbury Road, on Boxing Day and £50 damage caused.

Chairman of the Canterbury and District Taxi Association Heather Sewell said: Taxis are obviously being targeted and it is causing drivers a real headache - not just from the thefts but also the loss of earnings while their vehicles are being repaired.

"Drivers should not be leaving any sizeable amounts of cash in their cars overnight and now everyone is very much on their guard."

Police Inspector Vicki Tyler said: "We are taking these incidents extremely seriously. In the incident on Boxing Day the taxi driver heard glass smashing and when he checked on his car he saw a man riding off on a pushbike towards Beaconsfield Road. The man was wearing dark clothing with a dark hood up.

‘We are linking these thefts and are looking at CCTV in the relevant areas to try and identify the offenders. We are keen to hear from anyone who might have information about the incidents or has seen anyone acting suspiciously near a taxi.

"In the meantime we are working with the city council to make sure all taxi firms in the city are aware of the incidents and are asking them to ensure their drivers remove all valuables from their vehicles and display posters informing people that this is the case."

Anyone who has information about the thefts should phone police on 01843 222289 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting reference ZY/297/16.