A DEDICATED vehicle crime unit has been set up in Bolton.

The new team will have crime scene investigation officers at its disposal to capture forensic evidence from vehicles that have been broken into to help bring offenders to justice.

The creation of the team coincides with the launch of a summer crackdown on car crime in which the Bolton Task Force and Neighbourhood Police Teams will carry out high profile patrols at crime “hotspots” around the town and make regular visits to the homes of known criminals to check on their whereabouts.

Ch Insp Andrea Jones said: “Last year, we launched an intensive crackdown on burglary, which saw this crime decrease by 599 over the year, a drop of almost 30 per cent.

“Whilst we are still carrying on with this work to tackle burglary, we are now also focusing increased efforts on vehicle crime.

We have a number of tactics that are assisting us in this crackdown and we are also working hard to educate people in Bolton around vehicle security.” Vehicle crime was reduced in Bolton by more than 40 per cent last year, with 1,802 fewer crimes than the year before. But historically there is an increase in the number of cars broken into during the summer as people leave windows open in hot weather.

In one week last month, 33 cars were broken into across Bolton, 19 of which were due to people leaving property on display. The most common items stolen were satnavs and briefcases.

Ch Insp Jones added: “Over the past week, there have already been eight fewer vehicle crimes and we are confident that this figure will go down even more as the weeks go on.”

In three days in Farnworth town centre last week, around 60 motorists were advised by police, after they left items on show in their vehicle, or left doors and windows open or unlocked.

pkeaveny@theboltonnews.co.uk