News that police chiefs and Bradford City Football Club have teamed up this season to drive out criminals who are preying on fans' cars as they watch matches at Valley Parade is to be welcomed.

It must be particularly galling for any supporter to return to their car after a match to find it has been broken into and valuables plundered from it.

And it is, of course, not only Bantams' fans who fall victim to the thieves.

Away supporters can be even more vulnerable as their lack of local knowledge can lead them to leaving their vehicles in areas which are even more vulnerable to crime.

The sheer scale of home support for the Bantams with crowds last season averaging in excess of 14,000 means Valley Parade provides one of the best matchday atmospheres in League One.

The club also enjoyed the biggest growth in season ticket holders and the third biggest rise in attendances in the entire Football League in 2013/14.

This statistics underline the club's continuing climb back to success after its catastrophic descent through the leagues following the heady days of the two seasons in the Premier League more than a decade ago.

It would be a crying shame if Valley Parade attracts a reputation among fans of being a place where it is unsafe to travel by car due to the risk of it being broken into and therefore cause them to stay away.

We hope police can quickly catch and bring to justice the criminals who are blighting the area and also urge fans to do their bit by taking care where they park and doing all they can to protect their valuables.

Finally, we wish the Bantams the best of luck for the new season that kicks off tomorrow.