Police are stepping up patrols in Saltaire following a spate of car break-ins.

Criminals have been targeting vehicles parked near Saltaire railway station in Victoria Road, and the surrounding roads, police said.

The thieves have smashed car windows or damaged car doors to get at valuables including tools, handbags, satellite navigation systems and loose change.

Inspector John Tatham, head of Shipley police, said officers were now cracking down on the criminals by increasing their presence in the village.

“There has been a slight increase in people breaking into cars,” he said. “They are smashing windows or bending doors back, depending on the make or model of the car.

“This is happening because people are leaving valuables on view in their vehicles such as Sat Nav cradles and criminals think they will have a Sat Nav in the boot or in the glove box.

“They will also take bags on show or small change.”

Shipley police said it was unclear whether the criminals were local or whether they were travelling to the area.

Insp Tatham urged people who shop or work in the village to remove valuable items from their cars.

He said: “I would like to ask the public to be vigilant by locking their vehicles, leaving them somewhere well-lit and take valuables out of their vehicles.

“We are increasing patrols in the area and looking to use technology to help us in our detections.”

A previous initiative warning motorists to hide their valuables saw thefts from motor vehicles in Shipley and Saltaire cut by 82 per cent.

Anyone with information about the latest spate of thefts should call Shipley Neighbourhood Policing Team on 0845 6060606.