POLICE initiatives to reduce vehicle crime have been a success, according to the latest figures. Auto crime, say Bedfordshire police, was halved during February and March after a number of operations were launched by Biggleswade police. In an attempt to r

POLICE initiatives to reduce vehicle crime have been a success, according to the latest figures.

Auto crime, say Bedfordshire police, was halved during February and March after a number of operations were launched by Biggleswade police.

In an attempt to reduce crime along the A1 corridor between Sandy and Biggleswade, police mounted several surveillance operations.

Drivers were warned about leaving expensive property in vehicles and officers even went into food and DIY stores as well as restaurants to get the message across.

At one stage Biggleswade inspector John Maries said he believed gangs of thieves were coming into the area and deliberately targeting vehicles in the car parks along the A1 corridor.

"Thieves were watching expensive vehicles being parked and watching where drivers were going. If they were going for something to eat, thieves knew they were going to be away from vehicles for perhaps half an hour and then struck," said Insp Maries.

"But we have carried out a number of operations in the area and it is obviously paying off.

"If criminals see a regular police presence they are unlikely to frequent that area again for fear of being caught."

In all there were 23 thefts from vehicles during February and March. Biggleswade was the hot spot with 11 thefts followed by Sandy with five and Caldecote with three. Everton had only two incidents and Ickwell and Moggerhanger one each.

Eight vehicles were stolen during the same eight-week period with three taken in Biggleswade and Sandy and one each in Potton and Blunham.