MOTORISTS with vehicles deemed at risk of theft are being offered a cut-price deal on a security device.

The one-off police offer has been made to help car owners in vulnerable areas of east Durham steer clear of vehicle thieves.

The offer is being made to owners of ageing Fords and Vauxhalls, which audit statistics have shown to be favourite targets for thieves.

Backed by a grant from the Government's Safer Communities Initiative, a limited number of Disklok steering wheel covers are being offered at little more than a third of their retail price.

The first 200 people applying will receive one of the bright yellow locks, normally costing £80, for £25.

Applications are restricted to motorists living or working in higher risk car crime areas; Eden Hill, in Peterlee, Shotton Colliery, Wingate and Wheatley Hill, and only apply to owners of Fords and Vauxhalls bearing E, F, G, H or J-registrations.

PC Ian Haddick, Easington district crime prevention officer, said an audit undertaken as part of the Community Safety Partnership scheme, highlighted older makes of both cars as regular targets.

"Clearly, by offering a Disklok to owners of these vehicles, we believe we'll be taking a very positive step towards cutting this type of offence."

During the first seven months of this year, 301 cars were stolen or taken without the owners' consent across theEasington district, compared to 295 during the same period of 2001.

PC Haddick said: "Nationally we are told security devices fitted by manufacturers to new cars are making them more difficult to steal.

"That makes older vehicles more attractive to thieves, hence the Disklok initiative.

"We hope to extend the scheme if demand for the cut-price locks outstrips the initial consignment of 200."

A poster campaign in Peterlee, Shotton Colliery, Wingate and Wheatley Hill is publicising the offer prior to the first 200 devices being issued, in mid-January.

Disklok was selected because it scored top marks in a recent test in the trade magazine Auto Express.