TWO candidates for an East Lancashire parliament seat were today set to make crime one of their biggest fighting points after they both fell foul of crooks.

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope revealed he had his car broken into while prospective Conservative candidate for the same seat, Peter Britcliffe, told of his anger at one of his shops being raided.

Ironically for Mr Pope, his car was broken into as he pushed a new Car Crime Bill through Parliament as a favour for Blackburn MP and Home Secretary Jack Straw.

Assuming the Bill passes through the House of Lords untouched, new laws will be introduced for tougher punishments for car crooks.

People will also have to give details of what car new number plates will be used on when they are purchased.

It is hoped the latter will lead to fewer cars being stolen because it won't be as easy for car thieves to change a car's identity.

Mr Pope said: "It was ironic to say the least but for me, demonstrated the importance of this new law in making sure that car crime doesn't pay.

"The car radio was taken from my car, so at least I still had a car.

"A lot of my constituents have been left without cars. It is a major inconvenience and can affect their lives.

"Hopefully this demonstrates the government's commitment to crack down on crime by getting straight to the criminals and closing loopholes they have."

Meanwhile, Mr Britcliffe, who is also leader of Hyndburn Council, is reeling after nearly £200 was stolen from his women's shop, Just You, in Whalley Road, Accrington. A 72-year-old woman was behind the till when a young couple -- a man and a woman -- stole the cash on Saturday afternoon.

A young couple came in and asked to try on a piece of jewellery from the shop window.

As the woman tried the ring on, diverting the shop worker's attention, the man raided the till, stealing the cash. Police said the woman was left shaken by the incident.

Coun Britcliffe said: "This is the second time I have been robbed from this shop and the third time I have been the victim of crime in six months.

"It illustrates to me that despite all the claims to be tough on crime, the Labour Party has failed to make any difference to crime." "We need to create a society where people don't steal because they know they will be caught.

"That is why I am pushing for more police officers to be deployed. It is very sad that people like me are sitting targets for crooks.f=Futura XBlk BToCoun Britcliffe says he has been a victim of crime three times in the past six months