Seventeen cars have been vandalised or stolen in the space of just five days.

The drastic surge in vehicle damage has sparked a police warning to all motorists in the city to remove all valuables from their cars.

Police, who are carrying out patrols during the evenings and overnight, say thieves "will take every opportunity to steal anything".

Between Monday and Friday last week, 17 incidents were reported to the authorities.

Inspector Vicki Tyler, from Canterbury Community Safety Unit said: "Our officers are continuing to work to identify those responsible for these incidents.

"Thieves will take every opportunity to steal anything available, from small amounts of loose change and phone chargers, to expensive dashcam equipment and they show little regard to the inconvenience and cost they are causing to their victims.

"Officers are carrying out patrols during the evenings and overnight, when the majority of the offences are reported to have happened, and each report is being reviewed to identify possible lines of enquiry."

Police are urging everyone to remain alert and report any suspicious activity seen around cars.

Inspector Tyler added: "If your property has CCTV installed, we ask you to review it to see if it has captured anything of interest and if it has, keep it saved and call us.

"We thank all those who have already come forward with information, and ask if there is anyone who believes their car may have been targeted, to report it.

"Your information will help our enquiries, and by reporting any items stolen from your car, it will make it easier and quicker to identify the owners of any property we recover during our investigation."

Anyone who has witnesses anything suspicious or who has information to assist with our investigation is asked to call police on 01843 222289 quoting reference 46/64330/19.

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