POLICE have arrested four teenagers on suspicion of stealing satellite navigation systems from cars.

The arrests followed the theft of sat nav equipment from a van in Chantry Road, Marden, near Maidstone, on Monday at about 2.25pm.

Offenders broke into the van while the victim was making a delivery and took the sat nav system from the dashboard.

The four teenagers, aged 15, 17, 18 and 19, were later taken into police custody after the stolen sat nav was discovered in their vehicle.

All four suspects have been bailed to return to Maidstone Police Station on Friday, October 26.

Ch Insp Ian Hall said: "By taking a few simple steps people can prevent their vehicles from being a target and deter thieves from concentrating their efforts within the neighbourhood looking for easy opportunities to steal personal belongings."

He stressed: "It is most important not to leave things on display. If your Sat Nav is portable keep it safe by taking it, together with the support cradle and suction pads, with you when you leave the vehicle.

"Property marking also makes things more difficult for thieves. Firstly, property that is marked is less desirable to a thief as it is harder for them to sell on.

"Secondly, if your property is stolen and it is marked there is a greater chance that you will get it back. Finally, if a criminal is arrested with property that is marked it is easier for the police to prove that the property is stolen and charge the offender."