The Vehicle Crime Prevention Initiative was launched in Corby in April last year, with the council's Neighbourhood Wardens and Police Community Safety Officer's monitoring parked cars across the town.

Any car owners found to have valuables such as sat navs, mobile phones, handbags and shopping on show, will be sent a letter warning them they are advertising their belongings to thieves.

Since the scheme was launched, more than 150 letters have been sent out, and the number of car break-ins in the town has fallen by 37.3 per cent as a result.

Wardens out on patrol take a note of car number plates before working with the DVLA to find the home address of the car's owner.

Leader of Corby Council, Cllr Pat Fawcett, said: "Crime is a top priority for the council and our partners – we are working extremely hard to make sure that Corby is a safer place for all.

"We are very proud of the Vehicle Crime Prevention Initiative and 37.3 per cent reduction of vehicle crime is evidence of its positive impact on Corby."

Wardens have been keeping an eye out for anything which may tempt thieves to break into a vehicles, whether expensive electrical items, cash, CDs, leather jackets or even shopping bags.

Jack Ashworth, of Turner Road, Corby, said: "If people are leaving their sat navs in their cars in full view they are just asking for trouble.

"It isn't just the cost of replacing whatever is stolen but also the cost to replace the window they have smashed to get it."