Motorists are being advised to lock their vehicles after a spate of thefts in Stevenage.

Criminals have stolen various high value items from unlocked cars and vans around the town in the past two weeks.

Sgt Tim Davies from Herts police said: “These thefts are a huge inconvenience to owners who are left with the costs of replacing stolen items and repairing any damage caused to their vehicles.

“There are simple steps drivers can take to help keep their vehicles more secure and deter opportunist thieves, including making sure all doors are locked, with the windows shut and removing all valuables when leaving vehicles unattended.

“I would appeal to anyone who witnesses any suspicious activity around vehicles to contact police straight away. If a crime is in progress, always dial 999.”

The thefts include:

• Between midnight and 4pm on October 28 thieves broke into a Ford Transit van in Swingate and stole various items including power tools and racing car equipment.

• Overnight between October 28 and 29, various power tools were stolen after thieves broke into a Mercedes Sprinter van while it was parked in the Premier Inn car park on Coreys Mill Lane. A sat nav and hand tools were also stolen from a Ford Transit van in Shakleton Spring on the same night.

• Between November 1 and 2, tools were stolen from a Ford Transit in Sish Lane and between 8.30am and 9am on November 3, tools were stolen from a Mitsubishi L200 in Ripon Road.

• Police are also investigating three instances between November 2 and 3 where wing mirror covers were stolen from Minis in Twinwoods, Scarborough Avenue and Hill Crest.

Anyone with information should call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.