A FRESH spate of airbag thefts has taken the total plundered from across North Yorkshire over the past 12 months to more than 100.

Police suspect a gang is at work targeting quiet rural communities in the sprawling county where there are no security cameras to spot them, and plenty of cars parked in unlit areas.

Officers are hoping public vigilance will help them track down the thieves before a new wave of car crime claims the life of an innocent driver - or one of the gang responsible.

"The airbags would be worth about £250 a time so someone is making a killing - but it could be in more ways than one,'' said force spokesman Tony Lidgate.

"If there is a garage out there buying airbags second hand, then they must be dodgy - and, if they are dodgy, then the standard of their work has to be in question. Incorrectly fitted, an airbag could go off any time and the consequences could be severe.''

The evidence so far also suggests the thieves may be stealing to order. Particular makes and models have been targeted in the past few months, with several similar cars broken into within hours of each other.

Melsonby was the most recent to have fallen victim to the gang, with five cars broken into on Thursday night.

Sgt John Outhwaite has appealed to others who live in small villages to be on their guard.

"It would help if anyone who sees anything suspicious calls us immediately.

"It could be strangers hanging around, or an unfamiliar car or van parked outside their home. They can soon be checked,'' he said.

"Obviously, an airbag can detonate if you tamper with it but, once it has been deployed, it also leaves deposits which have been linked to cases of cancer. Anyone handling them regularly could be putting their health at risk,'' he said