THE crime wave affecting drivers who leave hi-tech devices in their cars means fleets must have a written policy to educate employees on avoiding theft, experts have claimed.

Over the past year, there has been a sharp rise in the number of break-ins targeting the latest electronic devices, particularly sat-nav units and laptops.

Fleet managers were told at a London West regional meeting of ACFO, the fleet operators’ association, that even loose change left on show was enough to encourage opportunist thieves.

Regional chairman David Dippie said: ‘Fleet policy documents must tell drivers not to leave anything on display or in the boot to protect them from being the victim of thieves.’