MOTORISTS have been given safety tips in a bid to cut car crime.

Cheshire Constabulary and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service held a vehicle crime awareness day in Ellesmere Port.

The organisations worked together to hand out locking screws for number plates, steering wheel locks and advice on car safety and crime prevention.

More than 40 motorists were handed locks and locking screws on Ellesmere Port town centre car park.

Western area crime reduction adviser Dave Owens said: “The aim of the event was to raise awareness of car crime and give people the opportunity to get extra security measures for their vehicles.

“We have seen incidents of number plates being stolen and sometimes put on other vehicles used to commit crime.”

Steering locks were also given to motorists who own cars considered to be high-risk of being stolen.

Mr Owens said: “Some older cars were being targeted and sometimes set alight, which is why we worked with the fire service to hand out the steering locks.

“These were donated by the fire service and fitted to certain types of cars.”

To contact you local Neighbourhood Policing Team call 0845 458 6373 or email ellesmere.port.npt@cheshire.pnn.police.uk.