OLDER cars are now more likely to be stolen than new vehicles, new Government figures show.

The Home Office's 2002 car theft index reveals that thieves are now targeting older cars in increasing numbers, largely because of the security devices fitted to newer vehicles.

Cars registered last year had a theft rate of three cars per 1,000, but those between 12 and 13 years old had a rate of 29 per 1,000.

The trend comes as car crime figures continue to drop across the North-East.

In County Durham alone, thefts of vehicles have dropped significantly year-on-year.

Between April last year and March there were 2,604 recorded vehicle thefts, compared with 2,951 in the previous 12-month period.

George Oliver, a spokesman for the county's police force, said: "There have been some dramatic falls in some of our divisions by as much as 45 per cent, but there is still a long way to go.

"More modern vehicles are now fitted with a variety of devices, such as immobilisers and alarms designed to make them more difficult to steal.

"This, though, does mean at the same time that thieves are turning their attention to older vehicles."

The Home Office index found that the Vauxhall Astra Mark 2 SX (1990 to 1992) was the most vulnerable car to theft, followed by the Ford Orion (1987 to 1989).

Home Office minister John Denham said vehicle crime was at its lowest point in 20 years, but was still a very serious problem.

Mr Denham said: ''Owners can improve their security by always locking their vehicle, never leaving anything on display and having an electronic immobiliser fitted."

Police said that a further emerging trend is the theft of car keys from homes and business premises with burglars targeting high powered, expensive vehicles.

They advised motorists not to leave car keys on show or in areas such as near letterboxes where they can be easily "hooked" and stolen by thieves.