CAR crime has rocketed in Nelson because of a shortage of police cells to hold suspected offenders, police said.

Vehicle break-ins and thefts in Nelson have soared by 45 per cent in a comparison between October and December this year and the same period last year.

And Sgt Mick Nicholls, of Nelson police, told councillors at Pendle Council's Nelson committee that the rise was because police were catching the criminals, but that the courts were so reluctant to lock them up that they were sent out on the streets to offend again.

A total of 78 people in the town - more than one every day - have been victims of vehicle crime since October 9. This time last year it was 50.

The UK's prison population reached an all time high of 79,779 at the beginning of October - almost double the number jailed in 1993, and by the end of that month emergency plans to keep prisoners in police station cells came into effect.

Sgt Nicholls said: "The courts are very reluctant to send people away and we have had problems getting people locked up.

"There is a problem with capacity and people are thinking that vehicle crime is not a serious offence, but it is for the victims.

"We are out catching these people and putting them before the courts and they are not being remanded. It's a bit frustrating and it has been causing us problems."

Crime in Nelson has fallen by 3 per cent overall in the same period, with house burglary down 25 per cent, violent crime down 23 per cent and criminal damage down 10 per cent.

Drug offences have jumped from three to 11, but Sgt Nicholls said this was down to an increase in raids on homes where supply is suspected.