Car crime has been slashed in Arundel and Littlehampton after police targeted serial offenders.

Figures just released show the number of thefts from vehicles dropped by 38 per cent in Littlehampton and 37 per cent in Arundel between April 2000 and February 2001.

Inspector Dave Richards said: "Vehicle crime features high on our list of priorities. In the last performance year, Arun sector had a particular responsibility for vehicle crime. Officers took over the investigation of vehicle crimes on their beats.

"They also used intelligence gathering to determine a number of persistent offenders who they then targeted."

The total number of crimes in Arundel rose by four per cent to 1,839 in the same period, but in Littlehampton the figure dropped by 176 to 3,624.

Burglaries fell 22 per cent in Arundel to 94, but rose by six per cent in Littlehampton.

Arun police are continuing with Operation Thorn, which uses high visibility policing in Littlehampton town centre.

The operation began on January 22 to cut crime and disorderly behaviour, as well as reducing fear of crime.

So far, it is has helped cut law-breaking in Beach Road, Surrey Street and High Street by almost 20 per cent compared to the same time last year.