A POLICE officer has been pounding the streets in Colne and handing out leaflets after a spate of car crimes on her beat.

PC Claire Sharples, the community beat officer for Trawden, Laneshawbridge, Wycoller and Foulridge, decided to take action after 15 cars were damaged or raided within the last few weeks.

All of the break-ins happened in the Winewall Lane area.

PC Sharples hand-delivered leaflets to houses in Holme Street and other parts of Winewall warning residents to take extra care when parking their cars.

She appealed to people not to leave anything in vehicles and warned that thieves will often take a speculative look in the boot, as many people believe they can stow things there safely.

PC Sharples said: "There was nothing specific but various cars were broken into, power tools were stolen from one vehicle and several cars were damaged or interfered with.

"I wanted to give out crime prevention advice to people and to warn them not to leave anything in their cars, not even in the boot.

"People often think things are safe if they are locked away but I have known people to have very valuable items stolen even when they have been locked out of sight.

"It's only a small area so there weren't that many leaflets to give out but I thought it was important to give a warning after having 15 crimes in such a short space of time.

"People should also report any problems. It's important every crime is reported so we get a full picture."

To find out more about crime prevention in the Trawden area, call PC Sharples on 07984 317187.