DOZENS of drivers in Worcester have received a letter from police warning them to protect their cars better as part of a new campaign.

West Mercia Constabulary launched the six-month Safe and Secure campaign last week in Gorse Hill, Nunnery, Rainbow Hill, Warndon and Warndon Villages.

Since then, patrolling police and community support officers have made a note of 52 registration numbers of cars with unlocked doors or sat navs or other valuables, such as laptop computers, on display.

The registered owners were then sent a letter and an advice pack to explain why their cars were insecure, along with information on common-sense security measures.

Crime risk manager for South Worcestershire Mike Stephenson said: "We hope those who have received a Safe and Secure pack in the post take time to read it, heed the advice and take appropriate measures to make their vehicle less attractive to opportunistic thieves and ultimately save themselves a lot of hassle and expense."

Vehicle crime has fallen by 20 per cent in the last three years in the West Mercia force area and just one per cent of registered vehicles in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire were damaged or stolen by criminals last year.

If the scheme is successful, it will be used across the force area.