The number of cars stolen in Sussex has increased by 89 per cent in the last 18 years, according to Home Office statistics.

The figures also show thefts from cars in the county have increased by 363 per cent during the same period.

Norman Baker, Lib Dem MP for Lewes, said: "A 363 per cent increase of thefts from cars between 1979 and 1997 is astounding.

"The police must be given the resources to tackle this growing problem but we can also do a lot ourselves.

"Everyone must make sure they either lock away in the boot or glove compartment, or take away with them, anything that may interest criminals.

"We must ensure that our cars have anti-theft devices such as locks for the driving wheel and handbrake.

"Together, we can make car crime much harder to commit. With concerted action, we might even crack it."

The number of thefts of cars in Sussex rose from 3,685 in 1979 to 6,979 in 1997 and the number of thefts from vehicles rose from 4,144 in 1979 to 19,188 in 1997.

A Sussex Police spokesman said the increase was partly due to the increase in the number of vehicles on the roads in the last 18 years.

He said: "The number of vehicles on the roads between 1979 and 1997 rose dramatically and it is a fact that the number of vehicle-crime related incidents has risen with it, not only in Sussex but throughout the country."