A CAR crime crackdown has led to 60 arrests and a 38 per cent fall in offences in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.

In the Burnley and Pendle areas car offences were happening at an average of 12 a day. That has now been cut to around half.

Operation Fleece was launched in July with the aim of cutting the high number of car-related crimes all across the Pennine division.

It has concentrated on thefts of and from cars as well as criminal damage to vehicles.

Teams of police experts have been collecting and analysing information to identify car crime "hot spots''.

Co-ordinator Sgt Steve Chard said: "We are determined to catch those who set out to commit auto-crime.

"Operations like this are designed not only to reduce crime but also to help make the public feel safe, involved and reassured.

"We want to transfer the fear of crime on to the criminal by sending out a clear message that we will catch them.''

Car owners are also being urged to take steps to reduce the opportunities for criminals, many of them opportunist thieves who strike simply because they see a chance to do so. Motorists are advised to lock their vehicles every time they leave them, even if just for a few moments.

Valuables should not be left in view. If property has to be left in a car it should be locked away in the boot.

Sgt Chard said a variety of police methods had been used during the operation, including high visibility patrols, covert operations, poster campaigns and letter drops. "By making people aware of problems when they exist in their area we have been able to get the public to take more responsibility for crime prevention,

"We have to balance the fear of crime by giving out timely warnings when criminals are operating in certain areas and we always look to the public for help in telling us if they have suspicions about people or crime,'' he added.

One motorist who has already benefited from the campaign and is delighted with the results.

Social worker Barbara Murray had her car broken into and property stolen but within 24 hours the thief was caught and the property returned.

She said: "In my case, the thefts were an inconvenient, sickening irritation but for people who lose irreplaceable personal articles or uninsured valuable items from their cars then the effects must be devastating.

"I am currently telling everyone how satisfied I am with both the result and the service provided by the police."

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