POLICE are urging motorists to remain vigilant after a spate of satellite navigation system thefts.

There have been 22 sat nav systems stolen from vehicles across Dartford and Gravesend since Christmas.

North Kent police is now urging sat nav owners to remove them whenever they leave their vehicles unattended.

The sat nav holder should also be removed from sight, as this could encourage a thief to break into the vehicle.

Detective Sergeant Mike Worrall is responsible for investigating vehicle crime in north Kent.

He said: "The popularity of satellite navigation equipment is growing and thieves see them as easy pickings.

"We urge motorists to take their sat navs out of their cars when they park.

"Putting them in the glovebox may not be enough because the empty holder is often a signal to the determined thief."