A CAMPAIGN launched by the Government to crack down on car crime is being backed by Wiltshire Police.

The force is due to launch its own campaign in November to co-incide with the Government's initiative.

Car crime accounts for about a fifth of recorded crime and is estimated to cost the country £3.5 billion a year.

Although car crime has fallen, Home Secretary Jack Straw said the Government was concerned about the distress, inconvenience and financial loss it causes.

The Government's £8 million campaign includes television advertisements aimed at owners of older cars research has found that ageing Toyotas are the most stolen cars in Britain.

In Wiltshire car crime is falling but the force is committed to reducing it further.

Between April and August this year there were 1,669 thefts from vehicles, compared to 2,435 the same time last year, while thefts of vehicles stands at 534 compared to 679 last year.

Graham Chivers, Wiltshire Police spokesman, said: "Vehicle crime is falling but it's still a fairly serious problem. It amounts to about a seventh of all crime in the county."

He said motorists should take common sense precautions to prevent their cars being broken into or stolen. "We would urge people to park in safe areas, activate alarms and immobilisers, shut the windows, lock the doors and don't leave anything on display," he said.

"Most car crime is preventable and people should keep their car keys safe. They could also have their vehicle registration etched on to windows and get valuable items such as car stereos marked. If valuables are left in cars people should lock them in the boot so they are out of sight."

Bert Morris, the AA's motoring policy manager, said: "We have to drum home the message with drivers that anything left on display in a parked car even something like a coat or loose change could tempt someone into a smash and grab.

"Apart from the theft itself, the cost of repairing the car and the inconvenience should help focus people's minds."

Penny Coombs, the Association of British Insurers' motor manager, said: "It's really worth investing in good vehicle immobilisers. Not only will it reduce your insurance premiums but you are much less likely to go through the distressing experience of a break in or theft of your car."