A SPATE of recent car crimes around Ryedale may be linked, say police.

Residents are being told to be more security conscious after a series of thefts from cars in the area.

In the last few days thieves have smashed windows and broken into cars parked outside homes and in car parks across the district.

And in one night thieves smashed their way into at least seven cars, causing hundreds of pounds of damage, in a "crime corridor" along the A170.

Vehicles parked in Kirkbymoorside, Pickering and Thornton-le-Dale were targeted on Monday evening in what police believe were a series of linked incidents.

Mobile phones, sports equipment and car stereos were stolen from the cars, which were parked in pub car parks, outside schools and by the owners' homes between 7pm and midnight.

Sgt Ann Donaldson, of Malton Police, said: "We do believe that the crimes are linked.

"It seems as though the A170 corridor is the major route they are using between the locations."

Sgt Donaldson said motorists had to be aware of car thieves operating in the area, and not leave possessions where they could be easily seen.

She said: "Drivers should not leave objects on display in a vehicle.

"They should be put out of sight either in the boot or glove box, or not left in the car at all."

Updated: 09:06 Thursday, March 21, 2002