Jack Straw: Launching the advertising campaign

There are more than one million car crime offences a year in the UK.

Vehicle crime accounts for about a fifth of all recorded crime and is estimated to cost the country �3.5bn a year.

Small saloon cars, such as Ford Escorts and Vauxhall Astras, are most at risk from car thieves, followed by medium-sized saloons such as the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Cavalier.

The type of car least likely to be stolen is the people carrier such as the Ford Galaxy and Renault Espace.

Car park security

The advertising campaign is being carried out in partnership with police, motor manufacturers and retailers, the insurance industry and motorists.

It will also promote improved car park security with ministers spending more on CCTV cameras.

Attempted thefts of cars cost motorists �100 with thefts from vehicles leaving motorists on average �270 out of pocket.

If a car is stolen but recovered, the average cost to the owner is �470. If it is never recovered that price rises to �2,190. .