POLICE have warned motorists to be alert after a spate of thefts from cars in Burnley town centre.

The crooks have been targeting Snooper speed camera detection devices , with 10 devices worth £200 to £400 each stolen in recent weeks.

Three people have already been arrested on suspicion of stealing from vehicles but officers said that if motorists continued to leave valuable items on view, there could be more thefts.

Inspector Damien Darcy said: "Thieves are targeting cars with Snoopers on their dashboard, smashing the car window and stealing the devices, all within a matter of seconds.

"If people have one of the devices then our advice is to keep it safe and make sure they take it with them when they leave their cars, just as you would do any other valuable accessory, like a car stereo or mobile phone."

Insp Darcy said officers were investigating the thefts and will be doing spot checks on cars with Snoopers, looking at bar codes and serial numbers to see if they match those recently reported stolen.

He said: "Anyone with a Snooper device that they have purchased legally has nothing to fear from the spot checks and indeed should be reassured to see that we are taking positive action to combat theft.

"But if people have acquired a Snooper device illegally, then it's a different matter."