A police sergeant has said a rise in car thefts in Highgate is mostly due to owners forgetting to lock their vehicles.

Sgt Mohammed Uddin said that most car crimes last month took place after owners left their car doors unlocked, while in Crouch End there have also been more break-ins.

Since February 13, 20 vehicle crimes have been reported, with stolen goods including a handbag taken from the boot of a car, sat-navs and two Samsung tablets. In February, a BMW car and two BMW motorbikes were also stolen.

Three suspects have been arrested in connection with some of the thefts.

The Highgate Safer Neighbourhood Team has issued a warning to residents and advised them to fit car alarms, steering locks and an electronic engine immobiliser, which prevents the engine from running without the correct key.

Sgt Uddin said: “We ask people not to keep anything valuable on show and to double-check that the car is locked.”