A STAGGERING 55 cars have been stolen or broken into in the Bromley Cross area over the last month, figures reveal.

Most of the crimes have been committed through the night between midnight and 6am.

But police chiefs have also revealed that an alarming SEVENTY FIVE per cent of the crimes could easily have been prevented with a little thought by the car owners themselves.

Many of the cars broken into had valuables or radios - left in the cars - stolen by the thieves.

And police crime prevention experts have revealed that three of the cars driven off by the crooks were not even locked.

Car owners in Bromley Cross, and throughout the rest of Bolton, are being urged to be more security-conscious and help put a brake on the crime spree.

The majority of the thefts and break-ins happened in Bromley Cross over the weekends between Friday and Sunday.

Bolton Police Community Safety Officer Chris Waters said: "Although the 55 break-ins and thefts appear to be quite severe, on closer inspection we discovered that more than 75 per cent of the crimes could easily have been prevented."

He urged motorists not to leave coats, bags or mobile phones on view in their cars as they are an "open invitation" to thieves. Radios should also be removed if at all possible.

Mr Waters said car owners forced to carry items in their cars should store them out of sight in the boot.

"Three of the actal thefts of vehicles could also have been prevented if people had taken the steps of locking and securing their vehicles," said Mr Waters.

"It may seem a simple thing to do but some people still take the view that they will leave their vehicles open to prevent damage to their locks, etc."

He warned motorists that unlocked cars are also an invitation to thieves looking for a way to transport goods away from the scene.

And he added: "If we all work together we can reduce the opportunity for car crime takinmg place."

Anyone in need of car-related crime prevention advice can contact Mr Waters at Astley Bridge Police Station, tel: 0161 856 5746, or PC Stuart Ashall at Bolton Central Police Station, tel: 0161 856 5625.

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