A NEW crackdown designed to reduce car crime has been unveiled by Home Office minister and Southampton MP John Denham.

The crime reduction minister launched a £5m advertising campaign aimed at encouraging motorists to change their habits.

Entitled Don't Give Them An Easy Ride, the blitz will include advertising on parking meters and the backs of parking tickets, as well as TV and radio adverts.

Today Mr Denham, Southampton Itchen MP, said: "Vehicle crime is at its lowest point in 20 years but it is still a very serious problem.

"There are over two-and-a-half million vehicle-related thefts and it accounts for nearly a fifth of all recorded crime, costing about £3.4billion a year.

"The government has a commitment to reduce vehicle crime by 30 per cent by 2004.

"Some people are victims of vehicle crime more than others and this campaign aims to target those motorists who are most affected. It will build on previous registered awareness of car crime and will focus in those regions where the highest levels of car crime occur."

The campaign stresses that most car criminals are opportunist and motorists can reduce the risk of car crime by taking a few simple steps.

Advice includes:

Never leaving personal items on display, even if they are not valuable

Never leaving your car unlocked, even if you are only leaving it for a short time

Having a Thatcham approved security device professionally fitted

The national campaign comes two years after Southampton police launched their own Operation Cobra initiative designed to rid car criminals from the city streets.

The campaign, backed by Southampton City Council and the Daily Echo, encourages motorists to do their bit to deter thieves by never leaving valuables on display.

Laminated cards designed to show thieves there is nothing of value inside the vehicle are available free of charge from Southampton Central, Shirley, Portswood and Bitterne police stations.