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Motorists in Canterbury district are being warned to ensure their vehicles are locked overnight following a series of thefts.
Between Monday 1 and Wednesday 10 July 2024, four cars were broken into in Canterbury with wallets, cash and sunglasses stolen.
It follows similar incidents in Whitstable and Herne Bay, where owners found their vehicles had been entered and, in some cases, items including tools and clothing were stolen.
Investigations into the thefts are ongoing, with enquiries suggesting thieves are trying car door handles to find those that are unlocked.
Sergeant John Woodward, of Canterbury Community Safety Unit, said:
‘On days when the weather is warm, I advise motorists to ensure their windows and sun roofs are shut when they are left unattended, and that their cars are locked.
‘Most importantly, do not leave anything of value inside and do not allow anything to be on display. Parking in a garage or, if not, a well-lit area covered by CCTV will also deter thieves.
‘Van owners should remove tools from the vehicles overnight where possible and make sure anything left inside is well marked, so that we can return it if stolen and recovered.’
Anyone who has been victim of theft should report it through the Kent Police website or call 999 if a crime is in progress. More advice on how to keep your car or van secure is here: https://www.kent.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/keeping-vehicles-safe/vehicle-safe-and-sound/