POLICE have launched spot checks on Metro drivers as police believe they are being targeted by thieves 'training' to steal more expensive models which are harder to break into.

Two Rover Metros were stolen and another attempted theft was carried out in just one week.

Now officers are stopping Metro drivers and checking identity documents as well as issuing advice on how to keep the cars safe.

PC Richard Booth of Chorley's People Oriented Policing department said: "The cars are mostly old, inexpensive, and not the type that professional thieves usually target. Security devices on these cars are not great, and they are relatively easy to break into.

"It may be thieves are stealing them as practice before moving onto more sophisticated vehicles.

"All the incidents we have investigated look to have been carried out by amateurs."

Chorley has more than 200 Metro drivers but the older versions of the cars are often worth no more than a few hundred pounds.

The first car was taken from Liptrott Road in the early hours of Saturday August 28, and was later recovered in Coppull.

In the second incident, thieves stole a G-registered Metro parked under a gazebo in Preston Road, Chorley. The £150 car, taken overnight between Saturday August 28, and Sunday 29, has not been recovered.

And on the evening of Tuesday, August 31, thieves caused extensive damage to a G-reg Metro in Ashby Street, but did not manage to steal the vehicle.

PC Booth added: "People should ensure their cars are locked and secured every time they leave them. We will be stopping some Metro drivers over the next few weeks as part of routine investigations."

Police advise drivers to check all doors including the boot are locked, windows are shut, and immobilisers and wheel locks are used.