Undercover police squads are taking to Bradford's streets to clamp down on car crime.

Regular officers and specials from Bradford Central are involved in the crackdown, which also features weekly mobile exhibitions.

There were 1,156 vehicles stolen and 1,697 broken into between April 1998 and this April in the city centre area covered by Bradford Central.

Chief Inspector Ray Shepherd said: "All in all it adds up to an average of eight vehicles either being broken into or stolen each day. Many of the stolen vehicles end up being dumped in other parts of the district.

"The police can only do so much. At the end of the day it is up to the owners of the vehicles to look after them by taking sensible precautions."

Car crime hot spots include Morley Street and Little Germany, while the safest places to park are the Council-run parks in Kirkgate Centre and Jacob's Well.

And criminals are more likely to target certain colours of car. Of those stolen last year 287 were red, 357 were blue and 248 were white.

Denise Raven, from the West Yorkshire base of the AA, said: "Modern technology is making it more difficult to steal a car, but if you leave property on view a thief will smash the car window just to have a look - even if they don't take anything."

As well as working with the Council to improve street lighting, car parks, and CCTV security, the police will be sending details of crime hotspots to local pubs, hotels and tourist attractions to pass on to the public.

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