Car thieves have swiped a string of stereos in a four-day crime spree in Lincoln.

Police are investigating links between the spate of car crime – all of which occurred within a one-mile radius in the city centre.

Eight cars were targeted in the string of thefts, with crooks smashing car windows in each case before snatching the stereo within.

Now police are warning motorists to tighten car security as the hunt for the culprits intensifies.

City centre inspector Mark Garthwaite said it was rare to see thieves targeting stereos in this way now.

"It's been a while since we have had stereos go like this, although you quite often see laptops and sat navs targeted in this way," he said.

"From the way the thefts have been committed and the geographical area, they are probably all linked."

The offences were all committed between the High Street and Monks Road area between Thursday, February 4 and Monday this week.

Crooks targeted vehicles on streets in the Sincil Bank area such as Saint Andrew's Street, Kesteven Street and Sibthorpe Street.

They also struck in Lindum Avenue and Eastbourne Street in the Monks Road area.

The cars targeted in the spree included two Renault Clios, a Vauxhall Corsa, a Ford Mondeo, a Citroen Saxo, a Toyota Corolla, a Vauxhall Astra and a Citroen Picasso.

A sat nav and CDs were also snatched in two of the incidents.

Now police chiefs are urging people where possible to remove car stereos from their vehicles.

Where this cannot be done, people should park their car in a well-lit place and be doubly vigilant.

Anyone with information should ring (01522) 532222, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.