THIRTY people have been arrested in Salisbury and district during a major police crackdown on car crime.

Operation Engine was launched by Wiltshire police last month in the wake of a worrying rise in the number of vehicle thefts - with more than 200 cars having been stolen from the city and surrounding towns and villagers in a nine-month period.

A clear pattern emerged of thieves taking older cars, not fitted with a security device or immoboliser, driving them around and then abandoning them - often after helping themselves to property from the vehicles, which on occasions included expensive items such as laptops and mobile phones.

A dedicated team of police officers was assembled to combat the wave of thefts and arrests have now been made after a series of covert and overt operations, including the use of CCTV surveillance, deployment of "trap" cars, and use of automatic number plate recognition technology.

Of the 30 people arrested, two have appeared in court and received jail sentence. The majority of the others have been charged with vehicle crime offences and some are currently awaiting the outcome of further police investigations.

Police this week hailed the success of the operation and warned thieves still targeting cars that the campaign was continuing.

Detective Inspector Matthew Johnson, of Salisbury CID, said: "Operation Engine is far from over and we are confident that our continued efforts will have a significant impact on the car crime problem we have seen.

"There is little doubt in my mind that those who engage in criminal activity, involving cars, in the Salisbury area will be caught and brought to justice."

Meanwhile police have again urged local people to take sensible precautions to protect their vehicles and property.

The message is: "Never leave valuables on the seat or in the glove compartment or boot when your park your car. Take them with you."