THEFTS from cars are down by about 50 per cent in one area of York, and a new scheme to prevent them has shown signs of success.

Last month, The Press joined officers on an operation while they walked more than 60 streets checking for vehicles which had items on display.

They then gave crime prevention advice to owners.

The scheme was triggered by a rise in thefts from unattended motor vehicles (TUMVs), in early November - nine by November 20, higher than every previous month since January, but still lower than last year - but figures seen by The Press this week show the initiative seems to have worked.

PC Steve Gillespie said: “Interestingly we received no further reports of thefts from unattended motor vehicles in the Clifton area since our operation on November 20.

“Despite this month being the only month where we have had more offences reported to us than than the same month last year, we are on course for a greater than 50 per cent reduction in these type of offences.”

Compared to last year, the number of TUMVs is down across the board.

There was an average of 3.81 per month compared to 7.09 last year.

But PC Gillespie said more could still be done.

He said officers would continue to check vehicles in similar operations in coming weeks.

He urged residents around the city to remove all bags and valuables from their vehicles whenever they are left unattended, to make sure opportunist thieves have no reason to break into the vehicle.

Inspector Lee Pointon said although any bags on display may not contain anything valuable, thieves would not know that, and could break into the car anyway, causing damage and increased insurance premiums.

He said: “You might lose much property but you’ll have to pay your insurance company and have your window repaired.

“People need to put things in their boot or out of sight, or in the house, and remove that temptation as much as possible.”

When The Press went out with officers on operation in November police checked 30 vehicles for valuables and where they were visible, attempted to find the owner and shared crime prevention advice.

Among the items found was an open handbag on the passenger seat of an unlocked car.

Police spoke to the owner, who did not want to be named.

“But she said she was grateful for the reminder.

She said: “It’s a good reminder because I’m rushing all the time.

“It’s easy to forget.”