Police say car crime has fallen 30% in the Bath area in the last year

Officers using a special 'covert capture car' will target the Chew Valley and lakes area.

The vehicle is parked in crime hot spots and if it is 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.

PC Darren Taylor said car crime had fallen 30% since the covert capture car was introduced in the Bath & North East Somerset (BANES) area 12 months ago.

"The message is, don't come to the BANES policing district if you are planning to take a car or steal from a vehicle," he said.

Officers will also mount high profile patrols of areas where car crime is high as part of the operation.