THE region's police forces will tonight launch the biggest ever crackdown on vehicle crime seen in the north.

Operation Outlaw is aimed at catching the organised criminals responsible for more than 60,000 vehicle thefts or break-ins last year.

The Durham, Cleveland, North Yorkshire and Northumbria forces have combined with Cumbria Police and the British Transport Police to mount the month-long initiative.

Officers have been exchanging information about known vehicle thieves who will be targeted throughout the four weeks of the campaign in a string of cross-border operations on the region's main routes.

Premises the police suspect are being used to store stolen vehicles or parts will be raided.

Areas identified as crime hot-spots, such as car parks at main rail stations, will be monitored.

Efforts to catch the criminals will be backed by crime prevention measures, including security advice leaflets distributed by Crimestoppers

Operation Outlaw covers an area of 9,000sq miles in an area where 22,000 vehicles were stolen and 40,000 broken into between April last year and March this year.

Locally and nationally only 30 per cent of stolen vehicles are recovered.

Theft of high-value motorcycles has been a problem in North Yorkshire, while in Durham four-wheel drive vehicles are being targeted for their re-sale value and parts.

Detectives have also noticed a thriving second-hand trade in scooters and side-impact or steering wheel airbags.

Police fear motorists buying second-hand airbags may be putting their lives at risk.

The operation is being co-ordinated by Detective Superintendent David Grey, head of Durham CID.

He said: "Vehicle crime is a huge problem which cuts across force boundaries.

"Many vehicle thieves think they can exist outside the law and won't be caught, but over the next few weeks they will be in for a rude awakening.

"We have a number of tactics and equipment at our disposal, all of which will be deployed during the next month.

"Every force taking part is making a determined effort to put the criminals on the run during this operation and make life as difficult for them as we can."

People are urged to call Crimestoppers free on 0800 555111 with information on vehicle crime.