A MAGNIFICENT seven community spirited supermarkets have linked up with Leigh police to promote a free offer on car crime prevention.

The stores in Leigh, Atherton, Hindley, Golborne and Tyldesley are helping to spread the word to motorists that they can take simple steps to protect their vehicles.

Ch Insp Ian Palmer, in charge of operations at Leigh, said: "It is obvious from the crimes we have reported that a large number of thefts of and from vehicles could be avoided.

"The public could help us greatly by adopting some of the preventative measures we are highlighting."

He said car crime makes up 20 per cent of all crime and part of the reason is that it is made easy for them.

He said: "In very few cases do the criminals target a specific car. They are looking for the easy pickings, a lap top computer on view inside a vehicle or a car that doesn't have basic electronic or physical security devices fitted."

A steer clear of car crime brochure, available at Leigh Netto, Kwik Save, Atherton, Hindley Co-op, Asda Leigh and Golborne, Sainsbury's, Leigh, and Tyldesley Co-op, lists the following dos and don'ts:

Don't leave property on view

Remove items of value even from the boot

Don't leave mobile phones on charge

Never leave mail on view, particularly if it details an home address

Consider fitting laminate sheeting to side and rear windows

Have an alarm and immobiliser fitted professionally

Have glass surfaces etched with the vehicle registration number

Install a car music system that has a removable front plate and don't leave it in the glove box