OPERATIONS to tackle car crime in Lymm have resulted in more than 30 people being arrested, police have revealed.

Vehicle-related crime in the village has been the target of a number of major campaigns within the past 12 months.

The main culprits are believed to be travelling crooks who come in from outside the area.

"There have been seven operations in Lymm because there is a problem with vehicles disappearing from the village," said Det Ch Insp John Hart.

"These initiatives proved to be quite successful, resulting in 32 people arrested," added DCI Hart, confirming that most of the suspects locked up hailed from surrounding areas.

Villagers have frequently complained about intrusion and crime from the neighbouring Greater Manchester towns of Partington and Carrington.

Police have highlighted liaison and intelligence exchanges with other forces as a factor in cracking down on car crime.

Work to resolve the motoring mayhem was best illustrated by Operation Watermill, staged earlier this year in Lymm.

Run by PC Mark Travis, officers gathered aerial snapshots of the area and established undercover surveillance teams at key locations, using properties provided by community-spirited villagers themselves.

It was heralded as a joint enterprise between Stockton Heath officers, members of Warrington police's car crime unit and the general public.

Ten arrests were made during "Watermill", a three-day long operation. Charges made included vehicle theft, drugs possession and drink-driving.

Vehicle thefts and sneak raids on cars generally are on the decrease across the town.

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