Christmas shoppers in Bradford are being helped by police to outsmart car thieves and pickpockets.

Officers in the Eccleshill Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) will begin a festive safety drive on Saturday.

Officers will be in retail parks and stores across north Bradford, giving tips about keeping personal possessions safe while shopping.

NPT officers will also be providing a free service to secure suitable car number plates with tamper-proof safety screws.

They will also remind shoppers of the importance of keeping presents and gifts left in cars out of sight to avoid making them targets for thieves.

Sergeant Louise Gibson, of the Eccleshill NPT, said: “While pick-pocketing is no worse in Bradford than any major city we want to help shoppers make sure they are as well protected as possible and a few simple precautions are often all it takes.

“Licence plate theft is an issue which causes great annoyance for motorists but can be very easy to prevent if cars are properly secured.”

Shoppers should keep bags zipped and in sight, should not keep wallets or phones in back pockets and not leave personal items in shopping trolleys.

Police will be at the Tesco supermarket, Canal Road, Bradford, on Saturday, between 11am and 3pm; Sainsbury’s at Greengates, on Saturday, December 4, from 11am to 3pm; and Morrisons at Five Lane Ends, Bradford, on Saturday, December 11, from 11am to 3pm.

Police Community Support Officers in the Great Horton and Little Horton NPT are also preparing an awareness campaign at local contact points.

e-mail: tanya.orourke@telegraphandargus.co.uk