Six catalytic converters have been stolen from cars in Syston.
The spate of thefts all happened between Tuesday, January 29, and Tuesday, February 12.
They were taken from vehicles on Pine Drive, Quenby Crescent, Wanlip Road, Fosse Way and Tentercroft Avenue, Syston, and Ling Dale, East Goscote. Four of the vehicles were 4X4s, and two were Mercedes Sprinter vans.
Police said the increase in the cost of scrap metal has led to a national increase in the number of catalytic convertors being stolen.
PCSO Brian Geeson said: "Our advice to owners of 4x4's is to keep them in a garage whenever possible or park them in well lit places. It is also important to keep any valuable items out of sight.
"There are companies that sell catalytic converter alarms which might be worth considering and there are metal cages on the market too which can be fitted around the catalytic converter and will act as a strong deterrent.
"If you own any sort of vehicle with a high clearance, enabling easy access underneath, then it would be worth considering some form of crime prevention measure.
We also want people to call if they see any suspicious vehicles or activity in their area."
