Love Your....Sat Nav

Satellite navigation systems make the ideal targets for thieves as they are portable and easy to sell on.

With devices costing up to £300 and sometimes more, it makes sense to take care of the device. If stolen from a car, a thief can sell it on for around £50 to £70, and the owner is left with a repair bill for damage to a car door or window and also the cost the replacing the device itself.

So, as Valentine's Day approaches, why not extend some love to your sat nav....

Top tips on how to look after your sat nav:

• Disconnect and remove your sat nav every time you leave your car
• Remove the suction mounted fittings and erase any marks they leave
• Don't put the sat nav in the glove compartment - a thief may be watching
• Make a note of the serial number of your equipment and keep it in a safe place when not in use
• Put your house number and postcode on the device using an ultra-violet market
• As an alternative, use SmartWater to mark the device if available
• Park in a well-lit area or busy car park - look for a police accredited car park with a ‘Park Mark Safer Parking' sign

PC Ian White, Crime Risk Manager, comments: "There are a number of steps everyone can take to reduce the chances of being a target of this type of theft. In the West Mercia region, which includes Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Worcestershire, around 65% of sat nav thefts take place after 4.00pm, with almost 40% of the total happening between 8.00pm and midnight. It is not only important to remove the device from the car but also to remove any evidence that the car owner uses one."

For more information visit the West Mercia Police's website at www.westmercia.police.uk.