POLICE across Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale are set to launch a major winter crime offensive to freeze car crime.

And the blitz will get off to a smashing start when officers from Pennine Division stage live 'break ins' in Burnley and Nelson next week to highlight how quick it can be for opportunist thieves to steal goods left on show.

PC Simon Evans from the area's Community Safety Team said the initiative was to ensure motorists can enjoy a worry-free Christmas.

He said: "Car crime is currently down 17 per cent across Pennine Division but the run up to Christmas is notoriously tough for us because criminals know that vehicles are full of valuables and that wallets, purses and bags left on display will contain extra cash.

"As for the criminals, our message to them is quite clear too: Don't even think about it!

"We're not only taking pre-emptive action, we're also stepping up patrols. The chances are if you break into a car, we'll find you and ensure you spend the festive season in a cell."

As part of the crime crackdown police will be promoting their Vulnerable Vehicle Scheme which now has the full support of parking attendants in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.

The VVS involves police and parking attendants noting down the registration numbers of insecure vehicles and sending a crime prevention letter to the owners, advising them how best to protect their property from thieves.

In addition, crime prevention officers will be doing a series of roadshows across Pennine Division mounting car crime displays and handing out Home Office literature on how best to protect a vehicle. A new car crime video will also be aired on Burnley's Community Safety Television network to further spread the word about vehicle crooks.

PC Evans added: "We hope that by re-enacting crimes, carrying out roadshows and displaying our message on town centre TV screens, we can reach a wide cross-section of people.

"We want to drive home the message that car crime is still an issue and that there are a few very simple things to do to lower the risk of becoming a victim."