POLICE and council wardens in Accrington have stepped up patrols in a new bid to beat car crime.

The move, involving uniformed and undercover officers, comes less than a week after police began signposting areas of the town warning motorists against a rise in thefts from vehicles.

Items have been stolen from vehicles parked outside the Aldi, Homebase and Asda stores, and cars parked outside outside the Hyndburn Sports Centre and Matalan have also been targeted.

Extra patrols have now been introduced in certain areas. Warning signs were last week erected in supermarket car parks along Hyndburn Road, to remind motorists to lock their cars and hide handbags, wallets, coats and other belongings out of sight.

Sgt Clare Holbrook, of Accrington police, said: "It is vital that all valuables are removed from cars. Some owners seem to think that a handbag containing little items of value can be left in the car. But an opportunist thief will break-in, just to check this out. Opening the glove compartment, to show it is empty, may help deter a thief breaking-in."

Hyndburn Council community wardens are also helping, by visiting owners of high-risk vehicles in Accrington town centre and Church, where vehicles have also been targeted, especially older Fords and Vauxhalls. Advice is being given on how to prevent thefts.

Sgt Holbrook added: "We are targeting car thieves and I'm confident that we will be making arrests soon."

Accrington Inspector Julian Platt said: "We are committed to beating auto-crime in Accrington. But to be successful, we need the support of the public who can help by being more vigilant and taking preventative steps, so they don't become victims of crime."

There were 58 reported car crimes in Accrington and Oswaldtwistle in February, 73 in March, and 44 so far this month.

Police believe car theft may be on the rise owing to the success of CCTV cameras in deterring thefts from shops. This has prompted thieves to strike at cars which they now consider to be an easier target.