Police in Norwich are warning motorists to be vigilant following a series of thefts.

Six cars were targeted in the north of the city over the weekend and all of the vehicles had been left unlocked overnight.

Incidents have been reported in the Silver Triangle area in Churchill Road, Beaconsfield Road, Northcote Road and Spencer Street.

The series of thefts has prompted a warning from local inspector Nik Hewitt who urged drivers to take simple and sensible security measures to help protect their property.

He said: 'Six cars have been targeted since Friday night, with electrical items such as sat-navs, iPods and iPads stolen. In all cases the cars had been left unlocked.

'I cannot stress enough the importance of keeping cars locked and secure. Thieves will be brazen enough to simply try handles on car doors until one opens…don't let it be yours they have a helping hand with.'

Meanwhile, cars are also being targeted in the south of the city in a separate spate.

Cars have been targeted in the Golden Triangle in Park Lane, St Philips Road, Helena Road and Swansea Road since Friday.

In three cases side windows were smashed to gain access with sat-navs stolen while one vehicle had been left unlocked.

Local policing commander, Inspector Jon Papworth, urged people to remove valuables from display and for residents to call police should they see or hear anything out of the ordinary.

He said: 'It appears thieves are targeting cars which have property on display as in all cases sat-navs were still in cradles on the windscreen, so I'd urge drivers to remove valuables from display.'

Inspector Papworth added that anyone found to be purchasing stolen property would also be dealt with.

He said: 'Quite often if a deal is too good to be true, it probably is. If you hear about stolen property being offered or sold please tell us. One day it may be your property they're trying to sell and under those circumstances you'd appreciate someone else giving us a call.'

Anyone with information about the recent incidents should call officers at Norwich North Police Station or Earlham Police Station on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.