NEARLY three car crimes are committed in Sussex every hour, new figures show today.

That adds up to 69 each day and one of the worst areas is Brighton, where a car crime takes place every two hours.

The effect on victims can be devastating.

Achurchgoer returned to his car in Woodingdean on Sunday and discovered a window smashed and his Bible stolen. He collapsed with an angina attack and was taken to hospital.

Car crime has reached epidemic proportions, but the Argus has learned that Sussex Police do not give it priority status because the Government does not list it as such. Insp Rex Matthews of the force's organisation unit admitted: "We are not setting specific targets."

Forty per cent of car crimes in Brighton and Hove happen in car parks and the force now gives those with security cameras and warning signs "Secured Car Park" recognition.

Insp Matthews said Sussex hopes to increase the number of secured car parks from 25 to 47 by next year.

From April to December there were nearly 19,000 thefts of or from vehicles in Sussex - 3,476 in Brighton alone - making it one of the most prolific crimes.

The Government's Audit Commission, which checks the performance of each force, lists burglaries but not vehicle crime, although it includes it in overall figures. Forces keen to impress concentrate on those crimes that are listed.

Meanwhile, victims and communities are crying out for action.

Chief Supt Mike Lewis, head of Brighton police, said car crime was raised at the community safety strategy working group two weeks ago.

He said: "The importance to the local community has been recognised and it will be given due priority in the next 12 months.

"But we were already aware of the problem and our initiatives have been successful."

He said more initiatives were on the way, and added a small number of villains were responsible for the majority of crimes - recently one youth was in court three times in five days.

He said: "We intend targeting repeat offenders, and we would ask motorists to help by stepping up security."

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