POLICE have appealed to motorists not to leave valuables and tools in vehicles overnight after more than £3,000 worth of items were taken from six vehicles in neighbouring streets in Drakes Broughton.

"All such thefts could be prevented if motorists followed the golden rule of removing valuables from vehicles overnight, whether vans or cars," said police spokesman Richard Bull.

"While there is some inconvenience in doing so, this pales into insignificance when compared with the cost of new tools or equipment, repairs, inconvenience when vehicles are being repaired and probably increased insurance premiums."

Mr Bull also warned the public to be on the alert for offers of what might be property stolen from Drakes Broughton.

"Some items might well appear at car-boot sales and markets and potential buyers should be totally satisfied that what they considering purchasing is not stolen," he said.

The thefts, which occurred between March 30 and 31 involved:

£1,000 worth of tools from a van in Keepers Close;

£800 worth of power tools from a Renault Kango van in Stonebow Road;

a £740 Dell lap-top computer from a grey Renault Clio in Stonebow Road;

£300 worth of power-tools from a silver Ford Transit van in Stonebow Road;

a £100 mobile phone from a white Mercedes Vito van in Keepers Close;

a £100 Helly Hansen sports jacket from a grey Saab 93 in Walcot Lane.

Police would also like to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in Drakes Broughton between 10pm on March 30 and 6am on March 31.