Residents are being advised to avoid keeping valuables in their vehicles following an increase in car crime this week.

Altogether, 14 cars have been broken into between 6pm and 2am on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in Canning Town.

Officers believe Sat Navs to be a particular target and that the the motive of thieves is “simply to smash the window and go through the glovebox”.

PC Kevin Buss, from Newham Police, said: “Advice is to not keep valuables in the car and keep your glovebox open to show potential thieves you have nothing to steal.

“Police are out patrolling the area and have operations in preparation to combat these crimes.”