Figures obtained by the Express & Star through the Freedom of Information Act name Ikea, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Asda as among those where the most thefts from cars are taking place.

Showcase Cinemas in Walsall and Dudley are also among the most targetted by thieves, who are looking for satnav systems and car stereos.

Police figures for Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley and Sandwell show that from April 1 2005 to March 31 this year there were 2,286 recorded thefts from vehicles in car parks.

All those coming at the top of the list are monitored by the stores’ own security.

The worst-offending car park in the area is at Ikea in Wednesbury where 39 break-ins were reported.

It is followed by Asda in Brickhouse Lane South, Sandwell with 19 break-ins; Sainsburys in Rookery Street, Wednesfield with 14 and Showcase Cinema in Bentley Mill Way with 14.

Carl Bird, for the Freedom of Information unit at West Midlands Police, said factors affecting the figures include the size of car parks and how often they are used.

He said: “Comparing numbers of crimes can be misleading and does not necessarily indicate the likelihood of someone being a victim of crime.”

He added: “There are a large number of car parks where only one theft has been recorded during this period.

“For Wolverhampton there are 302 car parks where one theft has been recorded, for Sandwell the number is 357, for Dudley 280 and for Walsall 281.”

No-one from Ikea was available to comment.

EXCLUSIVE by Cathy Spencer