MOTORISTS in Hartlepool are being urged to do their bit to help reduce criminal damage.

Cleveland Police and the Safer Hartlepool Partnership are calling on drivers to park their cars on driveways, or in secure car parks, to reduce the chances of them being vandalised.

They are also asking drivers to turn their wing mirrors inward if they have no choice but to park on the street.

The appeal is part of a recently-launched town-wide campaign to tackle various types of criminal damage.

Police estimate that one in three reported incidents of criminal damage involves a vehicle.

Detective Chief Inspector Gordon Lang, of Hartlepool police, said: "We are working hard with our partners and motorists to reduce the opportunities for criminal damage to motor vehicles.

"The most obvious solution is to not park on the street. However, if people need to do so, then they should turn in their wing mirrors to reduce the chances of malicious or accidental damage occurring.

"There seems to be a trend of increasing damage to vehicles, especially to wing mirrors, although there have also been reports of dented body panels and attempts to force entry."

He added: "These incidents are usually random attacks, which happen overnight and mainly at weekends. We want to educate drivers and reduce the opportunity for offences to occur, while making sure that people who commit offences are brought to justice."

Anyone with information can call Cleveland Police on 01642-326326, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555-111.