POLICE in Keighley have issued advice to residents following a spate of thefts from vehicles.

Officers have given out some prevention tactics to stop would-be criminals taking items from cars and vans.

They advise people driving a vehicle for business purposes, such as a van, to remove any tools, machinery or equipment once they have left the vehicle.

They also warn people to always ensure their vehicle is locked by checking the door handle, rather than just trusting the key fob, and to make sure it is locked even if they are just nipping to the shops or paying for petrol.

The force said that registration plates may be attractive to offenders, so they are asking people to consider purchasing tamper-proof plates or fit anti-theft screws.

They also said that those with sat navs should remove them once out of the vehicle and wipe the sucker marks from the windscreen.

Police add that as most people leave the devices in the glove compartment, drivers should leave that open but take the sat nav with them.

Contact your local crime reduction officer for advice by calling 101 or visit westyorkshirepolice.co.uk.