POLICE are launching a major crackdown on car crime in the New Forest amid fears that thieves are planning a summer blitz.

Senior officers are predicting that the new campaign will be even more successful than Operation Scorpion, which slashed vehicle crime by 25 per cent.

Stolen cars and the theft of property from vehicles account for 13 per cent of all crime in the Forest.

New figures show that a total 1,582 car crimes - almost four a day - were committed between April last year and March this year.

Vehicle crime tends to soar in the summer, when the Forest fills with tourists and more people use secluded car parks.

Many families have had their holiday ruined after returning from a long walk to find that items worth hundreds of pounds have been stolen.

Police fear the approach of the holiday season means the problem will flare up again.

The new campaign, part of Hampshire's Safer Vehicles scheme, will target persistent offenders using intelligence-based and pro-active policing.

Supt Barry Talbot said: "Safer Vehicles will build on the success of Operation Scorpion by reducing vehicle crime even further in the district.

"We have enjoyed considerable success over recent years in reducing this type of crime, but are urging drivers to play a positive role and not tempt thieves by leaving valuable items in cars.

"Motorists need to take sens-ible steps to reduce the like-lihood of them becoming a

victim."

Stephanie Sutton, New Forest Counci's community safety officer, said: "Motorists have a

significant role to play in helping the police to tackle car crime. Let's hope this new initiative will encourage drivers to take practical security advice on board."

Steve Munn, chairman of New Forest Tourism Association, said: "Any crackdown on crime in the Forest is welcome.

"Visitors might be discouraged from coming into the area if they thought there was a good chance that items might be stolen from their car."