FORGETFUL motorists who are leaving their cars unlocked in the city centre are being targeted by opportunist thieves in the city centre.

Over the past month dozens of sat-navs, CDs, wallets, mobile phones and laptops have been stolen from cars parked across the city centre, Kingsway and Hoole after absent-minded motorists left their doors unlocked and belongings on show.

Now police are urging drivers to secure their cars after a spate of thefts saw opportunist thieves testing their luck, trying doors across the city centre and managing to break into 16 unlocked cars.

And officers are warning that anyone can be affected by the thefts and that any items can be stolen after papers and equipment was taken from a parked car owned by a headteacher after the car was left unlocked.

PC Dan Reynolds of Chester Outer Neighbourhood Engagement Team said that the majority of the thefts had occurred overnight, but that the thieves appeared to be growing with confidence in their success and starting to target cars during the day.

“They are clear cases of an opportunist thief trying door handles in the hope of striking lucky, and sadly in Chester, there appears to have been rich pickings as they found 16 cars unlocked.”

PC Reynolds said that while the force continued to crackdown on car thieves with more officers on patrol in plain clothes and uniform, motorists need to take more care to make sure they secure and lock their cars when in the city.

“A lot of the time the things stolen are of no value to anyone but their owner, so the thieves simply throw them away,”

“People need to make sure that they secure their cars even if it is only left unattended for a few seconds. Do not be tempted to leave valuables in the car, and always make sure you activate your alarm.”

Anyone who has any concerns about vehicle crime or anyone acting suspiciously around vehicles should contact Cheshire Police on 101.