POLICE Chiefs were out in force at the World of Glass last week to launch a major initiative aimed at putting the brake on car crime in St Helens.

Operation Hornet, which will cost £400,000, is funded by the Home Office through the targeted Policing Initiative. The programme will target offenders, those at risk of offending, and others in the crime chain.

The initiative - which is the first scheme of its kind in the country to address all aspects of vehicle crime - will also reach out to victims of crime. And victims of vehicle crime will be given the opportunity to have immobilisers fitted to their vehicles free of charge thanks to vehicle apprentices at St Helens College, who have agreed to fit the security devices.