Police in Northern Ireland are examining a series of car thefts and break-ins in the Waterside area of Londonderry. The incidents occurred between 23:00 GMT on Wednesday and 08:30 on Thursday.

Three vehicles went missing during that time. A red Vauxhall Crossland was taken from outside a house in Shepherds Glen around 02:30 on Thursday. A black Volkswagen Golf disappeared from outside a house in Glenmore Park around 04:00. A silver-coloured Volkswagen Arteon was stolen following a burglary in Butler's Wharf.

In one case, keys for the vehicle were removed during a house burglary. Two other cars were ransacked overnight on Thursday, one in Shepherds Glen and one in Butler's Wharf. An item was taken from one of those vehicles.

Officers consider the incidents connected. They have asked residents with dashcam or CCTV footage from the relevant times to contact them.

Foyle SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan called on people to secure their homes and property at night. He noted the inconvenience and cost such thefts impose on families. Durkan mentioned a friend whose car was stolen, discovered missing when his child asked about it before school.