HIGH value four-wheel-drive cars are the latest target for thieves around Wisbech, with a number of off-road vehicles each worth in the region of £20,000 being stolen in the run-up to Christmas. In one instance, a silver Navara Crewcab pick up – worth up

HIGH value four-wheel-drive cars are the latest target for thieves around Wisbech, with a number of off-road vehicles each worth in the region of £20,000 being stolen in the run-up to Christmas.

In one instance, a silver Navara Crewcab pick up - worth up to £24,000 - was stolen from outside a house in Wisbech St Mary, even though the owner had locked it, taken the key with him, and immobilised the vehicle.

Police are now warning owners to be on their guard to stop their car from going missing next, after four such vehicles were stolen in recent weeks.

The stolen cars are:

- A red Daihatsu, from Sandbank, Wisbech St Mary, on December 5,

- A silver Mitsubishi shogun Sport, parked in a driveway in Field Avenue, Tydd St Giles, on December 5,

- A silver Nissan Navara crew cab pick-up, from outside the owner's home in Seadyke Road, Wisbech St Mary, on December 16, and

- A black Mitsubishi L200 Animal crew cab, from Hassock Hill Drove, Gorefield, on December 17.

A police spokesman said: "High value cars and vehicles are attractive to thieves and drivers must be security aware.

"Never leave items on display in your vehicle and make sure you park securely."

She also said that police needed information about criminal activity in the town, so they can combat both this and other types of acquisitive crime.

However, vehicle thefts in Wisbech and the surrounding villages have dropped over the year, with 127 vehicles taken compared to 168 last year.

The spokesman said: "We have been working hard to tackle vehicle crime in Wisbech with significant success.

"But clearly there is still work to do and we must not become complacent.