THE DAILY Echo is backing a scheme aimed at reducing car crime in Southampton.

In line with the national trend, older vehicles are most likely to be stolen by thieves in the city so Southampton police have joined forces with the Daily Echo and the city council to produce crime prevention packs for motorists.

The pack contains a poster telling would-be car thieves that there are no valuables kept in the car, plus advice on car crime prevention, a UV pen to mark property and a card to note down serial numbers of valuables which are often a target for criminals.

The packs are available at police stations across Southampton including Bitterne, Shirley and Southampton central, and will be given out free to anyone who produces a log book for their older vehicle proving ownership.

About 2,000 packs have been produced and will be distributed on a first come first served basis.

The scheme organised by crime reduction officer John Bailey is aimed at further reducing car crime that has been on the decline in Southampton.

There were 312 recorded car related crimes in Southampton in January compared with 490 in January 2004.

Mr Bailey said: "The cars shown to be more at risk are older Astras, Escorts, Clios, Metros and mopeds. What we want to do is draw peoples' attention to what they can do to reduce becoming the victim of car crime.

"Hopefully these packs will raise that awareness. Car crime is decreasing in the city and we want to keep it going in that direction."

The car crime packs are one of a number of initiatives being rolled out around the city to reduce car crime. Signs are also being put up on roads identified as car crime hotspots warning drivers to remove valuables on show and telling them that officers will also be patrolling the street.