MORE than 1,200 cars worth almost £12 million have been stolen from Greater Manchester since the start of the year.

A total of 23 cars were stolen from Bolton using keys which were taken during burglaries or from handbags, left in the ignition or lost by the owners. There were no car-jacking incidents in Bolton.

Three cars were taken in Bury and a total of 15 from Leigh.

Many of the stolen cars, several of which were expensive and high-powered, were later used in criminal activities.

In a bid to tackle the growing problem, Greater Manchester Police has launched Operation Maiden to warn motorists to be on their guard.

They are being advised to drive to the nearest police station or safe public place if they feel an accident has been staged; to flash their lights or sound their horn if they are in difficulty and, if they are still concerned, call the police on a mobile phone, making a note of the car number and vehicle/occupant descriptions.