SOARING car crime in Horsforth has led one resident to claim that it is a lottery whether their cars are still there in the mornings.

Resident Lisa Adlam said she was unsurprised to read in last week's Wharfedale Observer of the 430-plus thefts of or from cars in the last six months after having two cars stolen and another broken into since moving to the area in February.

She has now called for more bobbies on the beat to try to combat the area's problems.

"Horsforth is a soft target - particularly between Thursday and Sunday nights," she said. " During the latter part of the week it is a lottery as to whether your car will still be there in the morning.

"I know police are understaffed and overstretched, but it is galling to know that gangs are returning unchallenged to the area week after week to take their pick of our possessions.

"I have only seen a policeman when I reported the theft of my car and burglary of my house. If there was just the odd patrol during the times when car thieves appear to be most active, they might be put off for long enough to give us a bit of a breather or be caught in the act."

Miss Adlam, of Newlaithes Gardens, said that suggestions by the police to put cars in garages is not an option because many homes did not have that luxury.

She said that one of her neighbours built a garage - after a work vehicle was stolen - complete with iron bars at the windows and doors, an alarm and heavy padlocks. But thieves still smashed their way in with industrial bolt croppers, stealing a car stereo in the process. The couple had now been refused insurance on the garage.

"We all try to make sure there is nothing left in our vehicles to attract the attention of thieves and have, in most cases, equipped our cars with alarms, immobilisers and steering locks.

"Ordinary people are doing as much as they can to protect their property. We could just do with a bit of help," added Miss Adlam.

In last week's Wharfedale Observer, PC Neil Pearson advised motorists to take precautions against would-be thieves by making vehicles secure and removing temptation from sight.

This week, Inspector Joe Napoli, from Weetwood Police's community safety team, said he could not comment on national issues like getting more police on the beat.

However, he reiterated PC Pearson's advice which included locking unattended vehicles, never leaving valuables in cars, don't park in isolated positions and fit an alarm.