The cars, known as covert capture vehicles, are stocked with handbags, mobile phones, stereos and satellite navigation systems as well as a tiny camera to record any break-ins, Sky News reported Monday.

A Bristol man was recently sentenced to 14 weeks in prison for theft after he was seen on camera stealing from a covert capture car.

Police say James Milsom's break-in was the 110th time a covert capture car was targeted by a thief in Bristol.

"The photographs don't just lead us to the person breaking into the car either," says Bristol Police Superintendent Ian Wylie. "Further police work has also led us on many occasions to the handlers of the stolen property and people the car criminal is working with."