MOTORISTS are being warned to be on their guard in Darlington after police revealed a sharp rise in car crime in the past two weeks.

Opportunist thieves have been preying on motorists who leave valuable items on display in their vehicles.

Some residents have reported seeing a gang of youths on bikes scouring the streets, smashing car windows and stealing any items on show. Police confirmed yesterday that the number of instances of thefts from cars has increased.

Another incident of vandalism at the weekend saw a bus operated by Darlington Borough Council sustaining damaged.

The front windscreen of the authority's Blitz Bus, which tours the town providing advice to youngsters, was smashed while it was parked in the council depot in Vicarage Road.

A council spokesman said the compound was locked and it appeared something had been thrown in from outside.

Detective Sergeant Peter Hutchinson, of Darlington police, said there had been a rise in car crime in the past two weeks.

"We have anecdotal evidence that this type of vehicle crime is spreading across the whole town. Thieves are smashing the windows of cars which have items on show," he said.

Although police could not confirm whether the culprits were youths, residents have contacted The Northern Echo to say they have seen teenagers operating on bikes and committing such offences.

Police advised residents not to leave anything on show in vehicles and to contact them if they have any suspicions about who the thieves might be.

Anyone with information is asked to call Darlington police on (01325) 467681, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Youths drinking and causing trouble on the streets of Darlington were targeted last year in a police campaign.

Operation Timbal was launched after police received a number of complaints about young people damaging property, drinking on the streets and causing disturbances.

l Two youths were arrested and quantities of alcohol were seized at the weekend in the Mowden area of Darlington.

Police had been monitoring the estate after complaints from residents about nuisance behaviour.