CAR crime has suddenly risen at in an area of Mid Beds. Late last year police launched an operation to try and stem the tide of car crime along the A1 corridor between Sandy and Biggleswade at car parks outside supermarkets and roadside restaurants. Cars

CAR crime has suddenly risen at in an area of Mid Beds.

Late last year police launched an operation to try and stem the tide of car crime along the A1 corridor between Sandy and Biggleswade at car parks outside supermarkets and roadside restaurants.

Cars were being continually targeted by what police believed were organised gangs and thousands of pounds worth of personal equipment including laptop computers and satellite navigation systems were stolen.

Following the surge in car crime, with vehicles belonging to businessman mostly being targeted, Insp John Maries of Biggleswade police and his community officers mounted a high profile operation to try and prevent the crimes escalating.

Unfortunately, after a lull in car crime during the early months of this year a spate of thefts, all from cars in the car park at Sainsbury's, has put police on the alert again.

"We worked hard on our operation to bring a halt to car crime along this A1 corridor and thought we had nipped it in the bud," said Insp Maries.

"Last week we had three cases in one day on the Sainsbury's car park all involving the theft of laptops so we are again asking people not to carrying equipment like that when they go to the store or to the restaurants.

"Even if they are locked away if people look as though they are on business thieves have a good idea there will be a laptop in a vehicle.

"Thieves deliberately wait in car parks and watch cars when they arrive. If people are going into a restaurant they are going to be there for a while and even if they are going to a supermarket they are going to be away from a vehicle long enough to break in and steal what has been hidden.

"If people don't want to lose expensive belongings they should take it with them.

"We will once again be raising our profile at all the spots where car crime is a problem hoping we can nip this problem in the bud all over again.