Alan McQuillan: "Householders can help themselves"

Areas being targeted in the police campaign are south and east Belfast, Castlereagh, Carryduff and Jordanstown.

Assistant Chief Constable for Belfast Alan McQuillan, said householders could avoid falling victim to such crime by taking a few simple steps to make life more difficult for the criminal.

"The figures show a worrying increase in this particular type of burglary," he said.

"A number of overt and covert measures are being adopted by police to tackle the problem but the most effective measures can be taken by car owners and householders themselves.

"A few straightforward measures will make life considerably safer for the public and much more difficult for the criminal."

Among the measures being advised by the police include locking cars in garages and not leaving car keys in obvious areas of the home, such as inside the front or back door.