Van insurance customers who want to avoid making a claim on their insurance are being urged to stop leaving items on display when leaving their vehicles.

According to police officers in the South Tyneside area, there has been an increase in the number of break-ins on vehicles in the area.

The South Tyneside officers are now urging motorists to avoid leaving valuable items, such as tools, sat navs, and mobile phones, CD's and even laptops in their vehicles.

Community Wardens, Parking attendants and police officers, who patrol in the area will now be working together to crack down on thieves by keeping an eye out for vehicles with valuable goods on display.

Letters will then be sent out to the car owners advising them to be more careful.

Acting Detective Inspector Keith Thornton said: "Most motorists wouldn't dream of leaving large sums of cash on display in their cars.

But we need to drive the message home that expensive articles ttract the attention of criminals."

The officer stated that motorists who continue to leave valuables on display are more likely to risk facing increased insurance costs as a bid to repair any damage that may have been done to the vehicle.

He added: "The cash value of goods taken, there is also the inconvenience of the damage caused, which can put the vehicle off the road for days."