Councils will be able to tow cars within 72 hours

Over a third of all cars abandoned nationally are dumped in London, many of which are set alight or smashed up.

Along with Liverpool, London is being given funding to remove the vehicles, to make the roads safer and improve the environment for residents.

They are two of ten 'trailblazer' areas to which the government is giving extra money to tackle specific problems such as nuisance neighbours and begging.

The scheme, which follows a successful trial in the east London borough of Newham, will allow councils to remove abandoned vehicles within 72 hours of being reported.

Newham crushed 5,803 cars between April 2002, when the trial started, and April 2003.

On estates you see burnt out and abandoned vehicles and it becomes an unpleasant environment, it gives people a sense of fear Sir Robin Wales, Newham mayor

Before it began the council received between 1,200 and 1,500 complaints about abandoned or untaxed cars a month. That figure has now dropped to 900 a month.

Cars that are not taxed or registered could be towed and crushed and councils will also offer to remove unwanted vehicles free of charge.

Newham mayor Sir Robin Wales said the trial scheme had been a big success.

He said dumped cars could make neighbourhoods appear more menacing.

"It is threatening, the glass is smashed and the kids play in it," he said.

"On estates you see burnt out and abandoned vehicles and it becomes an unpleasant environment, it gives people a sense of fear.

"It persuades ordinary people not to go out but to stay at home - it's actually a very big issue."

The London boroughs of Camden and Westminster will also be 'trailblazer areas' for tackling begging and will be getting government money to reduce the problem.