SATELLITE navigation systems are top of the crime charts when it comes to theft. Police forces in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire report a rising trend in the popular systems being snatched from vehicles. For many motorists it is the new fashion accessory

SATELLITE navigation systems are top of the crime charts when it comes to theft.

Police forces in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire report a rising trend in the popular systems being snatched from vehicles.

For many motorists it is the new fashion accessory and being on full view on the dashboard they are in full view of any opportunist thief.

Police are now urging owners of systems to remove them when they leave the car or risk having them stolen and their vehicle badly damaged with windows smashed or doors broken.

The systems are easily sold on in pubs and car boot sales for as little as £50 and once they have been stolen are almost impossible to trace unlike many mobile phones.

In just over a month at the turn of the year there were 45 thefts of the systems in Stevenage and North Herts.

In Biggleswade, Sandy, Potton and the surrounding villages it is estimated there have been more than a dozen thefts of satellite navigation equipment from vehicles.

And both forces say the trend is continuing to rise.

Supt Adrian Walter of Herts police said: "Although satellite navigation systems are extremely useful they are also extremely tempting to thieves.

"It may seem a chore removing equipment every time a driver leaves the car. But it is far less inconvenient than filling an insurance form, arranging repairs and being without a vehicle."

Insp John Maries of Biggleswade police said: "Car crime is still on the increase especially the theft of satellite navigation equipment.