A THREE-MONTH crack down on car crime starts in Kendal today (Wednesday) as a result of mounting vandalism in the town.

Police, council bosses and housing officials are all behind the Criminal Damage Action Plan, which they say is in response to hundreds of attacks on residents' cars.

Kirkbarrow and Waterside are the two areas of town to be tackled by plain clothed and uniformed officers, who will be door-stepping homeowners to raise awareness and give out practical advice, while patrols monitor criminal hotspots.

There are also plans for officers from the South Lakeland Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, which is behind the crack down, to visit schools in the area to warn children about the consequences of anti-social behaviour.

Kendal's acting superintendent Don Spiller said a similar scheme carried out in Ulverston earlier this year had made a notable difference to crime figures.

"Half way through last year we were facing a 16 per cent increase in criminal damage offences and that just could not continue. We managed to turn this round to an overall increase of two per cent but there's still more work to do. This is why we are now targeting Kendal."

Among the advice residents will receive are tips on how to reduce the risk of vandals damaging their vehicles.

Policy officer at South Lakeland District Council Jenny Draper said: "If people have access to a garage or even just have a driveway, their cars will be safer there. We are also advising people to turn their wing mirrors in, retract aerials and leave a gap between cars when parking on the street to make snapping parts off and running keys down the side, less easy.

"These tips might seem simple but they can make all the difference."

Ms Draper added that part of the problem was youths not realising the impact their actions could have on individuals.

"The culprits carrying out this vandalism just do it for a laugh but for the person on the receiving end of a large repair bill or insurance claim, it is not funny. Part of this plan is to try to get that message through to youths.

"That's the education and prevention element of the scheme but there will also be an enforcement element and offenders will be prosecuted if they are caught."

Andy Shine, who chairs the partnership, added: "Over the last year we have turned around the level of violent crime through partnership work. We are determined to build on this existing partnership work and aim to decrease criminal damage figures in a similar way.

"Streetsafe operations are an ideal way to find out what really matters to local residents and agencies will take action. We want to maintain South Lakeland's place as one of the safest communities in the North West."