HALTON motorists are inviting trouble by continuing to leave valuables on display, despite months of warnings from police.

Drivers who leave even worthless objects in view in their vehicles are leaving themselves wide open to becoming victims of break-ins.

Items like satellite navigation systems, mobile phones, handbags, laptops and loose change prove an irresistible temptation to thieves.

But experience shows thieves often show an interest in even worthless items - in the past year, cars have had their windows smashed and doors forced open for the sake of an empty cigarette packet or the princely sum of 11p in loose change.

As far as a crook is concerned, even an old coat left on the back seat could contain valuables.

And people are also failing to remove their car stereo fascia panels, which are an effective way of making a stereo of no worth to thieves.

In recent months, Ford cars have been targeted by offenders for their stereo equipment.

Phil Buckley, crime reduction adviser for Halton, renewed his call for motorists to use their common sense and pleaded with them to stop advertising their valuables to thieves.

The renewed warnings were prompted by thefts from cars in the area last weekend, including loose change being snatched from several cars and incar DVD systems being stolen from two cars.

Three satellite navigation systems were also stolen from cars in and around Widnes.

And police are urging people to scupper the thieves' plans for making a quick buck by refusing to buy cheap goods offered by criminals in pubs and car parks.

Phil said: 'All of these thefts could have been avoided if motorists had just taken a second to think about their vehicle's security before leaving it unattended.

'It's not enough to just lock the car in the hope that thieves won't see your valuable belongings. If you can see them, the thief can see them and the chances are they won't be there when you return to your vehicle.

'I would urge everyone to stop advertising their valuables to thieves and to report anyone who attempts to sell you cheap goods on the street or in the pubs. If people don't buy these items, which often turn out to be stolen, then there will be no market for the thieves.'