A CRACKDOWN on vehicle crime is taking place in Leigh today.

Operation Battenberg will see Police Community Support Officers carrying out high-profile patrols in hotspot areas to provide public reassurance and to distribute crime prevention leaflets and security-screw kits for number plates.

PCSOs will also visit public car parks to identify vehicles with valuables left on display.

Between 7am and 11am a service will be provided at Asda and Sainsbury’s petrol forecourts in Leigh, where satellite-navigation devices and other valuables can be security-marked.

Officers will seize any vehicles being driven without a licence or insurance and will remove untaxed vehicles from the road.

There will also be joint visits with Wigan Council to second-hand car and scrap-metal dealers to target those handling stolen goods.

Chief Inspector Andy Baddeley said: “Reducing vehicle crime remains one of our top priorities, and we need people to realise that by removing valuables from their cars they can greatly reduce their chances of becoming a victim of crime.”