THIEVES are targeting drivers with satellite navigation systems in their cars.

There has been a spate of thefts after the devices became one of the most popular gifts over the festive season.

Today, police have issued a warning to drivers to hide their Sat-Nav systems after parking their cars. They join mobile phones and MP3 players as desirable items to steal as the devices are worth as much as £500.

Inspector Simon Miskell said: "I expect, because there are a lot of them around now, that this is a new Crime trend set to rocket because people will be leaving them on display in their cars."

The warning comes after a Sat-Nav system was stolen from a car parked on the Church Street car park in Horwich, yesterday morning at around 10.45am.

The portable systems use graphics and computerised voices to guide drivers to their destinations using the Global Positioning System. They are relatively easy to remove and are not security coded in the way car stereo systems are.

Insp Miskell added: "It is tempting for people either to leave the system in the car, or to leave the cradle which holds it on display.

"I would urge people to take both out of view because thieves will break into cars and search for the device if they see an empty cradle in the windscreen."

The systems also carry a database of speed cameras, warn drivers about traffic congestion and give weather reports.

If you have any information about the theft in the Church Street car park call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.