An operation launched to encourage Bradford car owners to look after their belongings has seen a reduction in the number of incidents in the last year.

Operation Sawnhaven, launched in 2020, aims to reduce the number of reported/committed theft from motor vehicle offences within Bradford city centre.

In 2017, 394 people were victims of theft from their cars, and in 2021, the number of victims of this offence was 85.

Police have heralded the figures as "fantastic", although the reduced number of workers driving into the city centre and parking up during the pandemic may also have contributed to the fall in such crimes.

Inspector Richard Baildon, of Bradford City NPT is reminding motorists to keep their possessions safe, to prevent people falling victim to this type of crime.

He said: “The aim of the operation is to work with motorists and encourage them to keep their valuables out of sight, as passing thieves are opportunists; they’ll take anything that has value and they don’t care about the devastation they leave behind.

“As part of this operation, if we spot a car that has valuables on display, we’ll send the owner a letter reminding them to keep their belongings safe and remove them where possible.

“We have also been leaving leaflets on people’s car, reminding them of the potential consequences of leaving their possessions on display. With the nights still drawing in quite early, it takes seconds for an opportunist to spot something valuable and take it, leaving the vehicle owner with the job of replacing what has been taken and potentially paying for repairs to their car.

“In October we carried out two weeks of action and we feel this, alongside our ongoing work throughout the year, has really helped remind motorists to keep their belongings out of site.

“The drop in the number of reports in the last year is fantastic, it shows that our message is being seen and heard and vehicle owners are taking the time to protect what is rightfully theirs. We know that work still needs to be done across the city to drive these numbers down further, and we will continue to actively remind motorists to keep their belongings out of sight.”