Stop and search cuts car crime

Operation Hammer kicked off last month and nine people have already been arrested for vehicle-related offences in the initiative.

Detective Inspector Paul Griffiths, who is leading the operation, said: "The operation has involved officers from Pontypool and Cwmbran, the special constabulary, PCSOs (police community support officers) and the roads policing department at headquarters.

"They have been working through the night in terms of patrolling, and stop searching vehicles and people.

"Over the last two weekends there have been a total of nine arrests as a result of stop searches related to vehicle offences.

"We have also been completing work on vulnerable vehicles in the area, by sending out leaflets, and over 20 steering lock devices have been sent out.

"As a consequence of the operation so far, vehicle offences have fallen by nearly a third."

In August last year, there were 75 vehicles stolen and 120 thefts from cars in B Division, which covers both Torfaen and Monmouthshire.

It was acknowledged at the time that 65 per cent of vehicle thefts in the area were happening in Pontypool and Cwmbran.

There are still many more free steering locks to be given away to motorists with vulnerable vehicles, which tend to be Fords and Vauxhalls more than ten years old.

The initiative is being run in a similar vein to Operation Maple - the Gwent-wide anti-car crime initiative - but on a more local level. Operation Hammer in being run under a wider multi-force initiative called Operation Arrowhead, which involves Gwent, South Wales and Dyfed Powys police forces, and the British Transport Police.

It aims for local police divisions, such as Torfaen, to carry out initiatives that address their own unique problem areas.

Insp Griffiths said: "The operation is continuing and if anybody has got any further information that could assist, please can they contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or their local police station."