OWNERS of satellite navigation systems are being reminded to secure their property after a number of recent thefts.

On Wednesday, January 16, two systems were reported stolen in separate incidents.

The first occurred in Ufton Lane, Sittingbourne, when a white Mercedes van had a window smashed between 7pm and 7.30pm.

The second happened between 7.30pm and 7.40pm when a Silver Citroen van, which was parked in the High Street, Milton Regis, had a satnav system and a mobile phone stolen.

On Saturday, January 19, a white Fiat van parked in an alley off Sittingbourne High Street had a satellite navigation system stolen between 2.30pm and 2.45pm and on Sunday, January 20, a white van parked in a lay-by outside Barkers Court, Sittingbourne, had a window smashed and a satellite navigation system stolen between 2.35am and 2.55am.

In all four thefts, the property was left on display in the vehicle.

As part of the Safer Winter campaign, police in Mid Kent are urging people to take extra measures to keep their property safe from opportunist thieves.

Police advice to motorists:

* If your satnav is portable, keep it safe by taking it, together with the support cradle and suction pads, with you when you leave the car.

* Wipe away any suction pad marks left on the windscreen or dashboard - thieves will look out for this.

* Don’t leave anything of value in the glove compartment - thieves will usually check there first.

* Mark your satellite navigation equipment system with your postcode and house number or your vehicle registration number or another unique number, using special security markers

* Making a note of the make, model and serial number of the equipment and keeping the note somewhere safe (not in the car)

* Don’t leave anything on view in your car.

* Lock all doors and windows, not forgetting the sunroof, when leaving your car.