A HOLIDAY resort is hoping to put the brakes on car thieves.

Car theft and stealing from cars outside sea front arcades at Redcar and the town's leisure centre is above the national average and the highest in East Cleveland.

The police, local council and business crime busting partnership - Redcar and Cleveland Community Safety Partnership - is giving ten colourful and effective steering wheel locks each to Lovetts Amusements and the Redcar Leisure Centre to loan to customers using the facilities.

Chief Superintendent John Kelly, joint chair of the partnership, said: "As a district commander I am challenged with reducing levels of vehicle crime.

"Delivering this project is helping the most vulnerable vehicles in the most vulnerable location and we expect to see significant results."