GANGS of violent carjackers are targeting Bolton's motorists -- stealing 26 vehicles over the last three months.

The robbers have stolen the cars after threatening the motorists with violence. Drivers have even been dragged out of their cars.

Police chiefs who describe the crime spree as "worrying" believe the thieves are targeting the owners of high-powered sports cars.

And today a victim of three hooded carjackers -- who handed over his keys after they threatened to hit him with a three foot long spanner -- warned other motorists to be on their guard.

John Craggs, aged 59, was confronted by the masked raiders on the drive of his home in Lostock as he was about to take his family to a Christmas dance.

After threatening the father of two, the thieves made off with his £16,000 Honda Civic Type R.

He said: "What they could have done to me if I hadn't given them the keys doesn't bear thinking about. I certainly could have been looking at a few days in hospital. I would just warn people to be very aware of what is around them when they are driving and when they are about to get out of their cars."

The terrifying ordeal lasted a little less than a minute before the balaclava-wearing duo sped away in the high-powered sports hatchback.

Mr Craggs, a retired marketing executive, of Green Drive, Lostock, said: "It was very confusing at first. It happened almost in slow motion. He shouted 'give me the keys, give me the keys'.

"I didn't do anything at first and then he threatened to hit me with the spanner. It was very disorientating.

"They weren't interested in the bag I had with me which had my wallet in it which makes me think they were purely after the car."

After handing over the keys, Mr Craggs watched the pair speed off, giving him a thumbs-up sign as they drove away.

He was left shaken but unhurt by the incident.

He said: "I think I'm very security conscious. I always drive with my doors locked and, even at home I have floodlights at the the front of the house.

"It's difficult to see whether the police could be doing any more. These are people will strike in broad daylight at traffic lights or petrol station forecourts."

Police believe the increase in the effectiveness of car security devices including immobilisers has led to the increase in aggravated car crimes.

Figures reveal that the owners of 26 cars have had their vehicles stolen after being threatened since the start of October. Nine cars were taken during October, eight in November and nine in December.

They include drivers who have been threatened as they were defrosting their cars on driveways with their engines running.

The increase in the numbers of aggravated vehicle thefts has come at a time when the number of cars stolen overall in Bolton over the festive season has been reduced.

The largest-ever Christmas car crime operation across the town has led to a huge fall in the numbers of vehicles stolen and broken into, the figures reveal.

Traditionally, car crime rises over Christmas as shoppers flock to Bolton and load vehicles with expensive gifts. But car crime across Bolton has fallen 18 per cent compared to last Christmas.

In December, 611 car crimes were reported compared to 745 last Christmas.

Across Bolton in December, 224 cars were broken into and 127 were stolen. Last Christmas the total figure stood at 745.

This year, police joined forces with Bolton Council and other organisations to ensure the crime prevention message was heard by as many people as possible. More than 300 posters were put up in supermarkets, car parks, hotels and the Royal Bolton Hospital to raise awareness in a £8,000 scheme.

Chief Insp Pat McKelvey, of Bolton Police, said the figures were a result of successful operations, increased advertising and extra officer deployment in hot-spot areas.

He said: "We will continue in the New Year to better these results and bring to justice those that commit these crimes."