LANCASHIRE police are attempting to beat car crime - before it even happens.

Letters are being sent out to car owners who have left property on display in their parked cars, warning them of the temptation it poses to thieves.

And traffic wardens are the police's secret weapon in trying to stop thefts from vehicles.

While on their rounds, they note down the registration of cars with property in plain view and a letter is then sent to the registered keeper.

Inspector Michael Whitehead, head of community safety for Lancashire said: "This initiative has been running for some time now and is aimed at stopping opportunist thieves.

"Our traffic wardens are our eyes and ears. They can see property lying about in vehicles when they are checking on parking restrictions and the like.

"We want vehicle drivers to be more responsible - most thieves are opportunists.

"To break into a car and root around is time consuming so when they see a mobile phone left on display, they smash a window and grab it.

"The best way to stop car crime of this nature is to reduce the opportunity for thefts by encouraging drivers to take any property with them or conceal it in the boot."

Also included with the letter is a list of guidelines to help prevent car crime, including:

Always remove mobile and car phones every time the vehicle is left unattended.

Always try to park in well-lit busy, open area or on a secured car park.

Etch your car registration onto all glass surfaces in your car.

Never leave vehicle documents in your car - they can help a thief sell it on.

The preventative action comes at a time when vehicle crime accounts for a third of all reported crime in the region - an average of eight cars a day are broken into and a further two are stolen.

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