The Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police welcomed the launch of a new Government campaign to cut car crime ahead of the force's own initiative.

Charles Pollard said he hoped the nationwide campaign, which urges motorists to take simple steps to outsmart thieves and reduce their risk of becoming a victim, would increase the public's awareness of the role they could play in tackling auto- crime.

The campaign - launched yesterday by Home Secretary Jack Straw - aims to give motorists the tools to outwit car criminals by giving an insight into how their mind works.

Thames Valley Police will next week unveil its own campaign urging motorists to give more thought to car security.

Mr Pollard said: "Police forces put a lot of time and effort into reducing thefts of and from vehicles.

"In Thames Valley, we are tackling the problem by targeting known vehicle thieves, high visibility patrolling of known autocrime hotspots and promoting the Secured Car Parks scheme."