VICTIMS of car crime were visited at home by police officers as Operation Cobra was taken on to the streets of York.

Nearly a dozen officers set up the campaign's "battle bus" in Holgate Road, identified as one of the top ten car crime hotspots in the city.

They handed out information leaflets to residents on their doorstep in the area and advised them on the best ways to "bite back" at car thieves.

There were 5,055 victims of car crime last year, who lost £2.5 million-worth of property.

York Police and the Evening Press have teamed up to launch Operation Cobra - a campaign to crack down on a crime that created an average of 14 victims every day in 2004.

The 12-month partnership will focus on thieves who target streets and car parks across the York area and those who see parked vehicles with valuables left inside as a "shop window" for property.

Sergeant Mike Stubbs, who is spearheading Operation Cobra in west York, said they identified a number of vehicles with valuable property on show, including one car with some golf clubs on the back seat.

He said: "We've had an extremely good response from members of the public.

"They were pleased to see local police officers out on the streets actively encouraging them to reduce crime."

Officers canvassed a number of streets off Holgate Road on Saturday, including Watson Terrace, Wilton Rise and St Paul's Square.

PC Graham Cooper, Holgate ward's neighbourhood officer, made door-to-door calls on dozens of residents in the area to hand out campaign leaflets.

Paula Watson's Peugeot 306 was broken into, although nothing was stolen. Paula, of Wilton Rise, said: "I took it very personally."

"They didn't get anything, but just gave me the hassle of getting my window fixed."

Another resident, Anne Halligan, of Wilton Rise, said: "It's great to see the police out and about because we don't often see it nowadays."

If you do see something suspicious or have information which could help, phone York Police on 0845 60 60 247 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Updated: 08:56 Tuesday, May 03, 2005