Police and council staff have designed a series of unmarked vehicles, which will be put in supermarkets, pubs and council car parks in the area.

There will be signs advertising the scheme, warning that police will be alerted if thieves try and get in.

And motorists are encouraged to display stickers in their windscreens, asking: 'Is this a police covert capture car?'.

Council support

Ch Supt Geoff Feavyour, northern area commander, said: "Covert capture cars are an innovative concept, which can have a significant impact on reducing car crime in the area.

"If you try to steal from a car, be warned, it may be a covert capture car."

Tony Beirne, for North West Leicestershire District Council, said: "We are aiding the police by putting up covert capture signs in the district's car parks and distributing stickers for motorists to display in their vehicles."