BROMSGROVE police are warning car owners to keep their vehicles safe at beauty spots near the town.

Almost 600 vehicles were found to have been left insecure or with property on display in the area between March and June this year.

The main sites were visitor attractions such as the Lickey Hills and Clent Hills country parks. The Hagley area has also been identified as a hot spot for car crime.

The vehicles were identified as being insecure or with property on display as part of north Worcestershire police's vulnerable vehicle scheme.

Police officers, community support officers and local authority wardens identify vehicles at risk of being broken into and a letter and safety pack, funded by the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, is posted to the registered keeper.

Bromsgrove's crime risk manager PC Stan Baker said: "A total of 592 vehicles were noted which represents 592 potential crimes. It is possible owners come out to enjoy a couple of hours at a beauty spot and don't give the same amount of thought to security as they would in an inner-city area. Wrongly assuming that in a rural location vehicles are going to be safe with the sunroof left open or a jacket left on the back seat."

He added: "Under no circumstances should doors be left unlocked, windows down or sunroofs open."

PC Baker said the reaction from the public in the hotspot areas had been very positive.

One of the thefts from cars which is being investigated took place at the Lickey Hills Country Park, in Warren Lane, Rednal, between 1.30 and 3.45pm on Sunday, July 3.

A charcoal brown Toyota Celica was broken into and a Pioneer CD car stereo, worth £400, various CDs, worth £130, and six Tesco bags of grocery, worth £50, were taken.

Anyone with information about car thefts should contact Bromsgrove police on 08457 444888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.