Pretoria police have warned that the capital's residents car guards are often in cahoots with criminals.

Several people have fallen prey to thieves in the Hatfield area in recent weeks after their attention was diverted by guards.

"An opportunistic vagrant will then discreetly open the passenger door of the car. Then the driver walks away from his vehicle and uses the remote control to lock it not realising that the passenger side is still open," explained the police?s Colette Weilbach.

Weilbach again urged motorists not to leave any valuables in their cars.

She also advised people to ensure that all their doors are locked before leaving their vehicles.