Police are targeting the city's worst hit areas

The cars will be parked in crime hot spots and if they are broken into and moved, a satellite tracking system will be activated.

Officers can then track the vehicle and remotely activate the locks, immobilise the engine and apply the brakes. The cars are to be introduced in Knowle, Bedminster and Southville after a successful pilot in Bath.

In a statement, Avon and Somerset Police said: "Last year in the Broadbury Road policing area more than 2,400 incidents of vehicle crime were committed.

"The cars are part of a long-running campaign. Theft of vehicles has been steadily decreasing over the last 12 months, but theft from vehicles is still at a high level."

Pc Nick Tizzard, added: "High-visibility patrols and crime- reduction campaigns are tried and tested techniques to bring down theft of and theft from vehicles, but we are now looking at something new.

"The covert capture car has proved to be very successful in Bath, with more than a 30% fall in vehicle crime since it was introduced."