POLICE have stepped up their fight against criminals who break into homes, steal car keys, and then drive off in the owner's car.

West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire Police have joined forces in a bid to tackle the growing cross-border problem.

In a typical week in the two forces' area January, 28 homes were burgled to obtain the keys of vehicles, which were then stolen. In 19 instances, the thieves got in through an insecure door or window. Now police are hoping that their high-profile "Yor-Keys" campaign, which was launched on Monday, will help them track down those responsible.

The initiative came about after Craven and Keighley Police realised they were suffering similar problems. Now nine police divisions are involved, stretching from Selby to Calderdale.

Chief Superintendent Adam Briggs, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "Cross border policing will bring real pressure to bear on these criminals.

"This campaign is about action not words. We are determined to catch the people who are committing these burglaries. They are causing real problems for our communities."

Detective Inspector Mick Moore, of Skipton Police, told the Herald that one initiative had already been held under the Yor-Keys banner.

A couple of weeks ago, 70 officers from North and West Yorkshire carried out a late-night operation in the South Craven area.

Ninety four vehicles were checked, three people were arrested in relation to auto-related crime, and a wealth of intelligence gathered.

"Significantly, no crime was committed in Craven that night," added Det Insp Moore. "We will be running similar operations on random dates in the near future."

But he added the prime objective of the campaign was to educate the public to keep their car keys hidden away.

"The most important message we want to get across is that the public need to take steps to help themselves. The car industry has done a lot of work to improve car security but thieves have found a way around it.

"A few simple steps, like keep ing keys hidden and always locking the front door when you are in, will hopefully reduce the crimes very quickly.

"We anticipate that with the co-operation of the public, North and West Yorkshire Police will be able to make significant impact on this type of crime."

Detective Chief Inspector Roger Gasson from the Keighley Division, added: "By combining forces with North Yorkshire we are telling would-be car thieves, there is no place to hide.

"This is a major response to what is a nasty, and sometimes violent crime."