Police have launched a crackdown to reduce the thefts from vehicles in Trowbridge.
Last week, Operation Chariot launched in the town with police increasing uniformed and plain clothed patrols in Trowbridge as well as carrying out stop checks

The campaign is also being run in Bradford on Avon and Melksham with Inspector Lisette Harvey hoping it will act as a deterrent to thieves who break into vehicles.

She said: “We know there are a core of opportunistic offenders out there who walk along streets in the town and see things on display worth stealing, try the car to see if its insecure, and if it’s locked they’ll smash a window to get in.

“I would advise residents to make sure they are not keeping valuables in their vehicles, and to ensure they are locked at all times when  parked up.”

From December 1, 2012 until January 22 this year, there were 25 break-ins to vehicles parked in Trowbridge with items including CD players, sat navs, tools and money amongst other things taken in all but two of the incidents, when nothing was taken.

Inspector Harvey said: “Last week, we did foot patrols in the town, encountering a group of males who we stopped and moved on. I’m convinced if we hadn’t been there somebody would have become a victim of this type of crime and we want to ensure we are alert to what is happening.”

As part of the operation, on Saturday, police arrested a 37-year-old man, of Summerleaze, in Trowbridge, who is suspected of carrying out thefts from vehicles and he has been relased on bail.