POLICE are urging people to keep their vehicles safe after the number of car crimes committed last year has been revealed.

Figures show that there were almost 25,000 reported incidents of vehicle crime in Greater Manchester in 2016.

The total of 24,298 reported by GMP was the third-highest in 2016, behind the Metropolitan Police and West Midlands Police.

However, Bury has the second-lowest incidence of car crime in Greater Manchester. Nonetheless, officers are not getting complacent, according to one senior officer.

A total of 89,900 car crimes were recorded in the Metropolitan Police area, and West Midlands was just above Greater Manchester at 29,106.

Research by Click4Reg.co.uk shows that 43 per cent of car crimes committed nationally occurred as a result of drivers not locking their doors adequately.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that 71 per cent of vehicle theft occurred during the week and 43 per cent at night.

DCI Charlotte Cadden, from GMP Bury, said: “Our car crime offences have stayed pretty static with just a 3 per cent rise on last year.

“In fact car crime has reduced by nearly 20 per cent across Bury North.

“But we are not complacent, as it is an important message to get across to people that we would like their help in reducing car crime across the south of the borough too.

“It is sometimes the most sentimental things that are stolen from cars that can never be replaced.

“Residents sometimes leave laptops and mobile phones on display in their cars, that contain photos of family and pieces of work that are irreplaceable.”

DCI Cadden also encouraged residents to use the free website Immobilise.com, which allows people to log specific details of property for free and may assist the police in returning property at some point in the future if it is stolen.

People are also being urged not to leave car keys, or other keys, in open view of their home’s letterbox or ground floor window where an offender can easily access them by fishing them out.

Advice on this includes installing a cage on the inside of the letter box.

Police said that most people enter their house and leave keys in the hallway, on the kitchen table or in the door lock and offenders are taking advantage of this.

Advice has also been issued on securing your car against being stolen.

This includes closing all windows and locking the vehicle when leaving it at home, work or elsewhere, and removing all valuable possessions from sight when not in the vehicle, especially money, wallets, purses and electronic items.

In addition, drivers are urged to park in well-lit areas, as sufficient lighting will deter criminals and thieves.

Chief Inspector Tariq Butt, from GMP’s Roads Policing, Travel Safe & Mounted Unit, said: “Car crime is completely unacceptable and officers are actively targeting those suspected of committing offences.”

To report a stolen vehicle or other car-related concerns, please call 101, or 999 in an emergency.