Drivers are urged to lock their vehicles up following a spate of 27 thefts from inside cars.

Items including sunglasses, cash, Sat Navs, bags and clothing were stolen from the cars, which were either interfered with or had items stolen from them, while a large proportion were left unlocked.

Among the recorded thefts were incidents in Northwood Road East, Kingswell Road, Colesdale and the Meadway in Potters Bar between Sunday October 16 and Wednesday October 19.

Police are launching an appeal for witnesses and information across Potters Bar, as well as Brookmans Park and Hatfield where other instances of theft were recorded.

Welwyn Hatfield safer neighbourhood team Inspector Jeff Scott said: “It is vitally important motorists lock their vehicles before leaving them, even if they are on a driveway, as leaving cars insecure leaves them vulnerable to opportunist thieves.

“Not only do you risk having any items left in your car stolen, you also may be invalidating your car insurance as companies are likely to refuse to cover the cost of stolen possessions if a car was left insecure.

“We are doing all we can to locate those responsible for these crimes, including stepping up patrols in affected areas, and I would urge anyone who has witnessed anyone behaving suspiciously in the streets affected to contact us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information about the thefts can contact police via the non-emergency number 101 or talk to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 and at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.