CAR crime is the next target for York police in their bid to reduce all crime in the city.

Thousands of cars are stolen or broken into in York every year and now the force has released their latest Top 10 cars stolen by make.

Figures reveal that 41 Vauxhall Astras were stolen in the city in a snapshot three-month period up to the end of January.

Second in the table come Ford Escorts at 33 and third are Vauxhall Cavaliers at 30.

The figures for York come after a Home Office study revealed older Vauxhall Cavaliers topped the national theft chart.

The 1997 Car Theft Index also shows that on average, 1,092 vehicles are stolen every day.

In York, 1,368 cars were stolen in the 12 months to February 19, and 3,506 were broken into and property stolen.

Police crime prevention officers say car owners could do more to help reduce these worrying figures.

York crime prevention officer PC Jim Shanks said: "The sad fact is that the majority of these crimes could have been avoided had basic security precautions been taken including removing valuable items from view.

"We are now starting to see for the first time in years a downward trend in crime, especially domestic burglary, so now is the time to seriously tackle the other scourge of our lives - vehicle crime."

PC Shanks said there are now scores of security devices on the market to help deter the car thief and it is up to the individual to do as much as possible to protect their property.

"Every owner of a motor vehicle has a responsibility to ensure that it has security measures fitted to protect it from crime," said PC Shanks.

He said that while it is impossible to make a vehicle immune to theft, there are several measures which can help.

These include:

* If you have a drive or garage, use it;

* always lock doors and windows;

* try to leave the vehicle in a well-lit area if you park in the street or a communal parking area;

* do not leave your vehicle unattended if it breaks down have it towed away instead;

* consider installing a good quality alarm system, which is insurance-approved, making sure it protects doors, bonnet, boot and interior;

* consider using immobilisers, steering wheel locks, limiters and locking wheel nuts

* fit a lockable petrol cap;

* never leave valuables on view in a vehicle. Always lock them in the boot.

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