Warning after sat nav thefts rise

Police say devices and brackets should be hidden

Car owners have been urged to hide their satellite navigation systems (sat nav) when leaving their vehicles after a tenfold rise in thefts in Tayside.

A total of 95 were reported stolen across the region in the past year, compared with nine the year before.

Tayside Police said the systems were attractive to thieves because they were small, portable and easily seen.

The force said drivers should remove the devices and mounted brackets from unattended vehicles.

The force's divisional crime prevention officer said in-car safes could be used to store the systems.

Visible evidence

Colin Brough said: "It is important to take the whole unit with you so that there is no visible evidence of the system having been fitted.

"If the mounting bracket has been attached to the windscreen, then give it a quick wipe to remove any suction marks that may have been left.

"Something like baby-wipes or spectacle cleaning wipes that lots of us have in our cars are ideal."

Mr Brough added that keeping a record of the model and serial number, and using an ultra-violet pen to mark the system, would help police identify stolen property.