IN an attempt to combat the recent increase in car crime around St Helens town centre, police will be carrying out a car window etching service between 10am and 4pm at TS Scimitar, tomorrow (Friday, August 30).

The window etching, which is free of charge, is part of the station's latest initiative to stop the continuing increase in car crime, which seems to be concentrated in several areas - including Chalon Way, the Safeways area and the back of the town hall -between lunchtime and 6pm.

Areas close to bingo halls, the Peter Street estate and Liverpool Road are also being targeted in the evenings.

A spokesman for St Helens police, said: "As part of this latest initiative we are trying to track down what happens to the cars that are stolen. Many of the cars are older than five years and quite often are not recovered. There is a possibility that some of these vehicles are being broken up for spare parts, and we are investigating this possibility."

He added: "When the new camera security system is up and running in the town centre we hope that it will act as a deterrent to car thieves as it will cover some of the main car parks.

"We are currently handing out crime advice to car owners and would also like to stress that people should never leave anything valuable in the car. If you have to leave something in a vehicle, lock it away in the boot out of sight."

Police would also like to hear from anyone who spots someone acting suspiciously near a vehicle as it could help prevent a crime. If you do see anything, contact the Crime Management Unit at St Helens police station on 0151 777 6050.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.