CAR thieves have gone on a rampage for the Carnival, taking away 85 vehicles over a one-week period.

In Port of Spain alone, thieves made off with 31 vehicles in five days, most of them parked outside fete venues.

In the first six weeks of this year, 229 vehicles have been stolen, compared with 239 for the same period last year. Last year more 1,400 vehicles were reported stolen.

During the Panorama competition last week at the Queen’s Park Savannah, four were reported stolen, while at the Army fete at the same venue last Friday seven disappeared.

And with the tempo increasing over the next days, fetes in a number of areas and Carnival shows at the Queen’s Park Savannah, this weekend, police are expecting an upsurge in car thefts.

Officers of the Stolen Vehicle Squad are hoping they would not be transferred out of the unit for duties in other areas for the Carnival.

They claim that most of the car thefts during the two days of Carnival take place on J’Ouvert morning when motorists come to Port of Spain for the 5 a.m. celebrations.

Crime chief ACP Clive Reyes are advising motorists not to leave valuables on the seat in their vehicles to attract thieves. He is also asking licensed firearm holders not to leave their guns in their vehicles.

Motorists are also warned about parking their vehicles in lonely and dark places where most car thieves prowl.