CAR theft in Lancashire is on the rise despite the number of vehicles being taken falling nationally.

Figures released by Lancashire Constabulary showed there were 3,732 car thefts in 2013-14, the most recent figures available.

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The number was up 1,263 on the year before and means that Lancashire has the second-highest rate of car thefts, based on population, in the country after Greater Manchester. Car crime fell in the county from 3,508 in 2009-10 to 2,714 in 2011-12 but has been increasing steadily since then.

Rachel Baines, chairman of the Lancashire Police Federation, said that with the county having 800 fewer officers on the streets since 2010, it was inevitable some crime types would increase.

She said: “What we have predicted is that there will be less of a visible presence on the streets in terms of proactive policing. You will see fewer police officers on the street and the deterrent is not there any more. With the huge reduction, you can expect to see certain crime types increasing — and this is certainly one of them.”

Police in Lancashire reported a spate of luxury-car thefts over recent months, with thieves reprogramming remote keys to steal them. A 19-year-old man from Darwen has been arrested in connection with two of the thefts and bailed until May 19.

A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary said: “We are committed to tackling vehicle crime but we need residents to work with us to ensure that their vehicles are kept safe from opportunistic thieves.

“It is vital that everyone takes a few seconds to make sure their car is locked and secure and we urge car owners to ensure that alarms and immobilisers are always switched on, and windows, doors and the sunroof are locked whenever you leave the vehicle."

Tony Harrison, a Burnley councillor who sits on Lancashire's police and crime panel, said: “We are doing all we can to tackle car theft but it is the responsibility of the car owner to make sure their vehicle is secure."

Anybody with information about car crime should call 101.