Police say they have seen an increase in the amount of car crime across the district and have pledged to “reverse the trend”.

Officers from the neighbourhood policing teams will patrol their areas and identify cars most at risk from criminals, such as those left unlocked or with valuables on display.

Car owners may be visited at home or will receive a letter offering advice to make their cars safe.

The division’s capture cars – fitted with CCTV and liquid DNA to film and mark anyone who tries to break in – have also been distributed across the district.

Det Ch Insp Dean Henson, crime manager for the Wakefield division, said: “Crime remains extremely low in the district, however in recent weeks we have seen a slight rise in the number of thefts from, and thefts of, vehicles. We are now working hard to reverse that trend.

“The message is clear to car owners – take simple precautions to avoid becoming a victim of car crime.

“Never leave property on display inside vehicles and remove any accessories from display which would indicate a satellite navigation system may be inside. Cradles or power leads should always be removed from view.”