POLICE are again urging motorists to stop making life easy for thieves after a rise in car crime in Darwen last week.

A total of 26 vehicles broken into and a further 12 stolen and dumped. Police say the totals are drastically higher than normal.

Most thefts were from unlocked vehicles or those with items left on view. Inspector Graham Ashcroft today called for motorists to be more considerate of security. Incidents are happening everywhere except in the town centre, with the most targeted areas being St James's and Goosehouse.

Now, every police officer in Darwen is being used in a re-run of Operation Enlighten, a scheme piloted in July to reduce car crime. Officers will be patrol the town and take the registration of any vehicles with valuables left on view or the doors unlocked.

The registered keeper will then receive a letter through the post warning that their car is a target for thieves. Police said a similar campaign on burglaries earlier this year was a success, but caused the rise in car crime as thieves changed their targets.

Insp Ashcroft said: "By locking something in the boot of your car or taking it out takes just a few seconds' thought.

"When people get their car broken into they have the hassle of sweeping out the broken glass, making insurance claims and replacing the stolen property, for just a few seconds.

"They could save themselves hours of hassle as well as the embarrassment of having the car broken into when they could have prevented it."

Police were yesterday questioning two men in connection with several of the incidents.