WILTSHIRE Police has responded to criticism after a spate of thefts from taxis and mini cabs.

The thefts have seen car windows smashed, with the thief or thieves making off with satellite navigation systems, dashboard cameras and cash.

Steve Waggott, whose firm, supplies cars to taxi and minicab drivers, said he has had 30 of his cars broken into over the last eight months and has estimated that an “absolute minimum” of 300 cars could have been targeted across Swindon.

Furious drivers hit out this week saying more needs to be done to tackle the thefts.

Minicab driver Benson Mwangi said: “I think the police need to divert more resources to this area.

“These days they don’t even visit. Before, they used to come and collect glass samples.”

Some drivers spoke about having to collect glass samples for police investigators themselves and have written to Wiltshire Police about the problem.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “We are aware of a number of vehicle break-ins in this part of Swindon and are currently investigating.

“We will always work with the community in cases like these to provide targeted policing. A similar issue happened closer to the town centre about six months ago and a suspect was identified and the offences appeared to decrease.”

Police have advised drivers against leaving valuables in their cars.

“As most of these crimes are carried out by opportunist thieves, it is also worth drivers putting signs on their vehicles to say nothing of value is left inside,” said a spokesman.

Liden, Eldene and Park South councillor Derique Montaut has met some of the drivers and plans to raise the problem with Swindon Borough Council’s licensing committee.

“These issues need to be addressed,” he said.

“Taxi drivers play a very useful role within our community.”

Residents have linked a man suspected of being behind thefts from taxis with an Eldene attack that saw a woman’s car window smashed before her.

The thief struck at around 9am on Thursday, July 20, as the woman, 34, was returning to her car after dropping her daughter off at school.

A man cycled past her black saloon car, which was parked on Colingsmead, before smashing her front passenger-side window and grabbing the woman’s bag out of the foot well.

Despite calling 999 immediately, the woman said she had not been contacted by police investigators.

“Since the incident I’ve only slept about 12 hours,” she said.

Anyone who has been a victim of a vehicle break-in should report it on 101 or anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.