KENT Police are warning vehicle owners who have satellite navigation systems to take the equipment with them when they leave their vehicle unattended.

In the last six weeks alone five satellite navigation systems have been stolen from vehicles in the Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable area.

Police spokesman Mike Ivatt said: "It is also believed that thieves are breaking into cars with sucker marks on the windscreen in the hope that the driver has left the “sat-nav” unit in the glove box or under the sear out of sight.

"The marks are often left behind when the holder for the systems has been removed from the car.

“Satellite navigation systems are easy targets for thieves as they are relatively small and quite valuable. Unfortunately, a lot of people are leaving the systems in their cars while they are parked unattended.

“We would urge anyone with a satellite navigation system to take it with them when they leave their vehicle and to ensure that there are no give-away marks left which could suggest the system is still inside.

"It may seem like a lot of trouble to go to but it could save a car from being damaged and property being stolen.”