CHELMSFORD motorists would do well to remove telltale signs of expensive electronics in their vehicles, say police.

Theft from cars is a growing problem across Essex, and drivers are being urged to hide anything that could tip off a would-be thief about satnav or other electrical items in a vehicle.

Insp Ian Cummings of Chelmsford police said: "We've been giving out free dusters that can wipe off marks on the dashboard where systems have been fixed. That mark could tell a villain there is a system in the glovebox - something worth breaking in for.

"It's something that takes only a few seconds' thought but saves owners coming back to find their cars broken into."

Police are increasingly frustrated at the lack of preventative measures taken by many car owners.

Thousands of pounds of electrical equipment, bags and money are being stolen from vehicles parked in residential streets, leading officers to believe that more and more criminals are turning to this easy form of crime.

Insp Cummings said decoy cars were sometimes used and observed by police.

"Vehicle crime is something we are paying particular attention to," he added.

Thieves are stealing from cars rather than taking the vehicles themselves due to increased security in modern cars, with many now boasting immobilisers and tracking systems as standard.

Police say they will continue their education and enforcement campaign until motorists fall in line.

Anyone with information about ongoing car crime is urged to call Chelmsford police station on 01245 490296 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Drivers are also being urged to put vehicles in a garage at night, if possible.

GOODS worth £600 were stolen from a car when its window was left open.

The unlocked Peugeot estate was in Jarvis Field, Little Baddow, when crooks took £250 in cash, credit cards, an MP3 player, two radios and a black Stussy bag.

Police said parked cars' windows were sometimes left open in warm weather, but warned the risk of theft increased as a result.