CAR CRIME has nearly halved at Purbeck's beauty spots in the last three years.

Purbeck police claim the dramatic 41 per cent fall is thanks to growing public awareness and the impact of high-visibility policing.

As a result Purbeck Police is repeating its highly successful vehicle crime reduction campaign this year, starting in Easter and ending in October, in a bid to cut car crime even further.

Sergeant Des Connor said: "Since the team here at Purbeck has targeted vehicle crime it has been falling year on year and the reduction this year is the biggest yet."

The police used a number of strategies to combat the problem, including signs on the roadside and in car parks, a poster campaign, leaflets in garages and reminders on the reverse of car park tickets.

They also used Police Community Support Officers to help step up patrols at some of Purbeck's more notorious car crime hot spots.

Sgt Connor appealed to motorists to make sure they remove their valuables from their cars.

"Half of the victims in the past year were women who left their handbags in their cars to go for a walk," he revealed.

"I met one victim who, when questioned, told me she had left her valuables in her car approximately five feet from a sign reminding her not to do so.

"Not only should residents and visitors to Purbeck feel safer, they are actually safer from car crime."