A CONCERTED campaign to put the brakes on car crime is to be run by police in Andover in the run-up to Christmas.

Most years see an increase in thefts from cars during the annual shopping spree as newly purchased presents are left on display on the rear seats of cars in the town's car parks.

Some parts of the town's residential areas are also more vulnerable and the campaign will specifically target these areas. Operation Cobra will run from 26 November until 22 December and will be backed by a competition in the Andover Advertiser with prizes supplied by motor accessory shops Les Smith and Halfords.

"Two parts of the town, Charlton and the River Way/ Cricketers Way areas have a higher than average incidence of car crime than the rest of the town and we will be doing a leaflet drop to homes in those vicinities advising how people can reduce the risk of car crime," said Pc Toby Wilcox, the crime reduction officer.

"We will also be speaking to people in the town's car parks advising them of the simple steps they can take to reduce the risk. In particular we will be advising people of the need to put items bought out of sight and not to leave them on the back seat of their car.

"Thieves see shoppers going to the car parks with an armful of gifts and then watch them go off shopping again."

The police do have some success in catching the offenders but generally success rates are lower than for other crimes.

"One of the problems is that the crimes are committed by such a wide variety of offenders," said Pc Ted Reynolds.

"They can be juveniles just starting out in crime, accomplished criminals or opportunists who have never offended before and who see something they like," he explained.

Sometimes the police advice is rudely rebuffed.

"I can remember one occasion when a traffic warden called us to say a disabled driver had parked in Bridge Street with his cheque book and cards on display on the rear parcel shelf of his unlocked car," added Pc Reynolds.

"When we approached him he said: 'What has it got to do with you'?"