Drivers in Camborne and Redruth who leave their vehicles open to crime are to be the target of a new campaign launched in the area this week.

The Vulnerable Vehicle Scheme is aimed at stemming the rising tide of car crime that is blighting the two towns by encouraging owners not to make it easy for the crooks.

In 2002 there were nearly two thefts every day from cars in the towns and nearly as many vehicles damaged by vandals or other drivers. Ine 2003 thefts had increased by nearly 20 per cent and damage to vehicles had shot up by a third.

In an attempt to turn the tide, police community support officers will inspect vehicles that are parked around Camborne and Redruth and send letters to those drivers who have left expensive items on display or have left their cars unlocked.

Neighbourhood beat sergeant for Camborne Sergeant Dave Aynsley said: "Car crime is one of the areas worst problems. It may not be the most serious offence but it is definitely the most frequent.

"We are determined to reduce the figures, one way of doing that is obviously to catch the people involved, but another is to persuade drivers that there are things they can do to avoid being the victims of crime," he said

This week PCSOs have written to the owners of ten vehicles that were found to be vulnerable after a single sweep of Tesco's car park.

"If people receive a letter they should not take it as a criticism, it is just advice," said Mr Aynsley, who added that keeping your car off the street can greatly reduce the risk of crime.

Statistics prove that 80 per cent of vehicle crime occurs to vehicles parked on the road compared to 19 per cent in driveways and just 1 per cent parked in a garage.