POLICE today vowed to continue their fight against car crime after vandals went on a wrecking spree.

Detectives announced they would be stepping up the number of plain clothed, uniformed and mounted police officers in and around troubled areas of Darwen, after eight cars were targeted in two days.

The news comes a week after the launch of Operation Eject -- which warned people they would be banned from pubs if they were caught damaging cars after a night on the town.

The initiative came as a result of what officers last week described as an 'extraordinary' 177 reported incidents of vehicle damage since January.

Officers are currently investigating an E-registered Vauxhall Cavalier, worth £500, which was stolen from Springthorpe Street and white a H-registered Bedford Rascal camper van, worth £5,000, which was stolen from Swan Street.

Damage was also caused to a number of other vehicles, including a green Skoda Estelle, in Greenway Street, which had its wing mirror ripped off; a white Hyundai Accent, in Belgrave Road, which had its door panelling ruined and a Vauxhall Corsa in the Anchor Hotel car park, in Blackburn Road, which had its rear number plate stolen.

Wheel trims were also stolen from a red Ford Mondeo, in Watery Lane, a blue Ford Fiesta, in Limes Avenue and a burgandy Lada, in Anyon Street.

Inspector Tracie O'Gara, from Darwen CID, said they would not tolerate such behaviour and said: "We will be increasing resources in certain areas of Darwen to increase the number of plain clothed and uniformed and mounted officers.

"We are warning people that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated and we are taking positive action to stop it."

Detective Inspector Neil Hunter said they were not linking the incidents and added: "We have experienced an increase in the number of damage to vehicles over the past six months and we are not prepared to accept this type of behviour."

He said a meeting was being planned with pub landlords for early next week to introduce them to Operation Eject and hand out posters to be displayed in the bar.

Anybody with information about damage caused to cars is urged to contact Darwen CID direct on 01254 353842.