Police are investigating an increasing spate of thefts from cars in Northampton after 45 vehicles had their windows smashed in just five days.
The raids, which were all reported between Friday and Tuesday, were mainly concentrated in the centre of the town, with cars targeted in Semilong, St James, Kingsthorpe, Abington and Kingsley.
However, reports were also received of car windows being smashed and gloveboxes being rifled through in other areas of Northampton.
Police have said sat navs, wallets and handbags were stolen during some of the thefts, but added that in around a quarter of the reported incidents nothing was stolen.
Detectives have urged motorists to remove all property from their vehicle at night and warned drivers should not even leave valuable property in the glove compartment or the boot.
A police spokesman said: “There have been a number of incidents reported over the weekend where offenders have smashed the windows of vehicles and stolen property left in the vehicle.
“A total of 45 incidents were reported between October 5 and 9, which occurred in various locations across Northampton. The majority of offences happened in and around the central and north area of the town, including Semilong, St James, Kingsthorpe, Abington and Kingsley, with some incidents also reported in the south west and east of the town.
“Property, such as sat nav systems, wallets and purses, was stolen in a number of the reported offences, while in approximately one in four of the incidents nothing was taken.”
Quartet appear in court after long running probe
Four men from Northampton have appeared in court following a long-standing police investigation into a series of robberies.
Darren Burnett, aged 37, from Billing Road, Anthony Cowdell, aged 34, from Coverack Close, Craig Bosworth, aged 28, from Byfield Road, and Paul Grimbley, aged 24, from Briar Hill, were charged with conspiracy to steal.
They were remanded into custody to appear at crown court next month.
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