SCOOTER owners are being asked to help put a brake on crime - while helping themselves.

Thefts of motor scooters are on the increase on Teesside, because their young owners appear to be giving security a low priority.

Detective Inspector Gordon Lang, chairman of the Redcar and Cleveland Auto Crime Reduction Task Force, said many scooters were stolen by people who might progress up the crime ladder.

"These are the thieves who progress to taking cars and committing burglaries," he said. "It can be easy to make it difficult to take scooters and motorcycles. Stop these people in their tracks and it may make them think again."

The task force has teamed up with a motorcycle company - Petite and France - to offer security devices at discounted prices at the firm's showroom in Station Road, Redcar, on July 28, from 9am to noon.

Det Insp Lang said: "The idea is aimed at encouraging motorcyclists and particularly scooter riders to consider the security of their vehicle - and do something about it, before it is too late."