Police are warning motorists to remove portable satellite navigation systems from their vehicles to prevent them from being stolen. Between 1 April and 24 Aug 2005, there were 46 portable satellite navigation systems snatched from cars across Mansfield and Ashfield. Pc 978 Roy Samuel explained: "We have arrested and charged two local men in connection with several of the thefts in our area, but the problem is still growing. "In April this year three sat nav. systems were taken, but the number has risen to 16 so far this month. "There appears to be a ready market for stolen portable sat nav. systems, which is making them an increasingly popular choice for thieves. "Retailing at around £300, criminals are willing to sell them on at a fifth of the price. They are easy to remove and not security coded in the same way as car stereos, making them difficult to trace once taken. "If you do have a portable sat nav system, please remove it out of the car altogether when you’re not driving. Don’t leave it in your glove compartment – it is the first place a thief looks." "It only takes a second to break into a car and your expensive sat nav system could be gone. Our message to motorists is, ‘you display, you pay.’"
"If you do find that your sat nav system has been stolen, try ringing the makers to see if you can get the signal cancelled," Pc Samuel advised.