The former mayor of Newtown today demanded to know what police were doing to catch a late-night sneak thief who has broken into and stolen valuables from 16 parked cars in the last 26 days.

Councillor Joy Jones said people were coming to her on a daily basis worried they would be next to be targeted.

The thief, who has been dubbed a ‘prowler’ by police, struck 16 times in Newtown during August, stealing wallets, purses and other valuables from cars parked in the town.

Now Councillor Jones, a former mayor, has called for the police to catch the person responsible before more people are affected.

She said she would be talking to officers and asking why the thief had been able to carry out so many crimes.

She said: “I will speak to the officers and ask them why the thief hasn’t been caught yet and what is being done to catch them.

“It is so upsetting for people who have had their cars broken into and had valuables stolen.

“It is not the valuables they are most upset about losing, it is the fact that someone has been in their car.”

She added: “I will be fair to the police though, I know they are short on resources and work extremely hard and I know it is hard to pin evidence to people.

“They probably have an idea who it is – we just need to get them caught in the act or handling the stolen goods and brought to justice and bring this horrible spate of thefts to an end.”

Dyfed-Powys Police has urged drivers to ensure they take everything out of their car at the end of the day.

They have also vowed that patrols will also be stepped up around the town during the early hours in a bid to snare the thief.

Sian George, force spokeswoman, said: “Although we live in a safe place, drivers shouldn’t get complacent. As well as ensuring they lock their vehicles, drivers should still remove valuables.”

Anyone with information on the thefts should call 0845 330 2000.

The list of offences:

The prowler struck 16 times in August.

On all occasions valuables were stolen but police did not have full details in some cases at the time of going to press.

August 4 – car broken into in Dolfach, off Llanidloes Road

August 5 – car broken into in Hendidly Close

August 7 – three cars broken into in Garth Owen; Cledan, Treowen; and Lon Eithin, Trehafren

August 13 – car broken into in Ffordd Eglwys, Vaynor

August 14 – three cars broken into in HIllside Avenue, Cwrt Dolafon and Milford Road

August 18 – golf clubs and trolley stolen from Newtown Golf Club car park

August 22 – car broken into in the Lion Works car park, off Pool Road

August 23 – copper piping stolen from a car in Cledan, Treowen

August 24 – car broken into in Gelli, Treowen

August 25 – tin of money stolen from a car parked in Canal Road

August 27 – car broken into in Pavilion Court

August 30 – car broken into in Market Street