A SPATE of satellite navigation system thefts from cars across Wirral has prompted calls for increased driver vigilance when not using their vehicles.

Merseyside Police figures show that in the last week there have been 66 thefts from cars, with the units accounting for 60 per cent of items stolen.

In a bid to tackle the problem, the AA Motoring Trust wants stores selling the in-car computer guides to give customers better security advice when selling the items.

The organisation's spokesman, Luke Bosdet, told Globe Online: "Sat-navs are the must-have toys for boys in cars and, unfortunately, are also the latest theft craze.

"Owners of cars with sat-nav systems need to be more vigilant when not using their cars. Improvements to car security also need to be made to protect the office gizmos that have now become part of everyday driving.

"Car manufacturers need to think about fitting a strongbox in the boot, for drivers to put their valuables in when they are away from the vehicle. You only have to look at online auction sites to see that there is lot of stuff on there, like sat-navs or laptops for example, that may have been stolen.

He added: "It's not a good thing for salesmen to talk about the bad aspects of buying sat-nav systems, without doing anything to tackle the problem. Maybe it would be wise to give the customer security advice at the point of sale.

"Perhaps if people were advised to carry a bottle of water and a cloth to wipe-away tell-tale signs of a suction pad for the sat-nav system, there would be a reduction in the number of thefts."

In a bid to tackle the problem, police have issued the following car security advice. Take your sat-nav system with you when you leave your vehicle and clean the marks from the area of windscreen where suction pads for sat-navs have been placed and remove any holders. Don't leave the system in your car boot either, because thieves may attempt to break in for a closer look.

Anyone with information relating to sat-nav thefts can contact 606 5480, or for further advice log onto: www.Merseyside.police.uk