Jason Doyle, 36, of Aldingham Walk was caught red-handed by a tiny camera, the size of a pinhead, fitted inside the car. It is the second time Doyle has been convicted by hidden camera evidence.

He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 80 hours unpaid work.

A number of cars equipped with hidden cameras have been parked around crime hotspots in the resort to try to catch prolific offenders.

The footage shows how, in the space of seconds, Doyle eyes up the car, notices the sat nav system, smashes the window, takes the device and then runs off.

Thieves breaking into vehicles trigger the cameras that are hidden inside enabling police to capture them on film and put them before the court with overwhelming evidence of their crime.

Another male was also caught by the system last year and found guilty with a similar offence in the West End of Morecambe.

PC Stuart Peall, who works with the Morecambe targeting team said: "Doyle has obviously not learned by his mistake and has been caught for a second time breaking into a car.

"If people do commit car crime, they will potentially be breaking into a vehicle that has been fitted with a hidden camera.

"This operation using bait vehicles continues to be a success, but despite repeated warnings many drivers still leave valuables in their vehicles.

"Unfortunately there are people who will take property if it is visible and it's surprising how many people still leave mobile phones, wallets and even laptops on display. Sadly this is an open invitation to the opportunist thief as it takes a matter of seconds to break into and steal from a car."

The operation has been run in partnership with various local partnerships including Winning Back the West End and Poulton Neighbourhood Management.

Alan Orchard from the Poulton Neighbourhood Management said: "This operation has helped to reduce crime in Morecambe which ensures that the community of Morecambe feels safe and it helps to aid regeneration in the area."

As a result of police using new technology as well as increased focus on high visibility policing the district's vehicle crime reduced by 27 per cent last year. Auto crime in Morecambe alone fell by 34 per cent which illustrates the effectiveness of such tactics.

PC Peall urged drivers to take simple precautions: "Please think before you leave valuables unattended in your car."