Decoy cars to trap thieves inside

New equipment is being introduced by police in an attempt to cut car crime.

Officers in the West Midlands are to use covert "capture cars" with satellite tracking and new video kit. The specialist video equipment starts and the satellite technology alerts officers if the special cars are tampered with.

Other equipment can immobilise vehicles, set off car alarms, track stolen vehicles' movements and take photographs as thieves break in. The high tech equipment can also be used remotely by officers watching nearby, to lock thieves in the vehicle as they try to steal it.

Ch Supt Paul Scarrott, from West Bromwich police station, said: "Our capture cars look like any other vehicle and could be located anywhere in Sandwell over the coming weeks. This is a great tactic for us - it puts the fear of crime firmly back on the criminal, where it belongs."

Police officers and police community support officers will be handing out stickers to the public to put in their cars posing the question: Is this a capture car? The aim is to deter car thieves even further.

SOURCE: BBC