The National Audit Office has said that government action has helped to cut car crime by almost a third since 1999.

In a report published on Thursday, the public spending watchdog said that the figures showed a "significant achievement".

But it cautioned that "there is nevertheless scope to reduce such crimes even further".

The British Crime Survey has reported 241,000 thefts of vehicles, 1.3 million thefts from vehicles and 543,000 attempted thefts of or from vehicles.

Official research also suggests that thefts of and from vehicles cost around £2.1 billion a year.

"The Home Office is on track to meet its target of a 30 per cent reduction in vehicle crime between 1999 and 2004 which is a significant achievement," said NAO chief Sir John Bourn.

"However, the continuing number and impact of these crimes means that momentum needs to be maintained once the deadline for this target has expired."

Good progress

The report identified "good progress" in improving the security of cars, and "steady progress" in improving police enforcement.

According to the NAO, more could also be done in making car parks more secure.

The Home Office has sought to make it more difficult for offenders to benefit from vehicle crime but further progress is required, added the watchdog.

"Many of the initiatives to tackle vehicle crime that are in place have yet to be fully implemented," said Sir John.

"Local authorities, car park operators, the police and crime and disorder reduction partnerships can all do more to tackle the problem, and progress will be helped by the Home Office and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency improving the information and advice it provides these organisations."

On target

Responding to the report, Home Office minister Hazel Blears said the government was"on track to meet our challenging five year target to cut vehicle crime by 30 per cent by 2004".

"The reductions in vehicle crime seen to date have been due to a lot of hard work by a range of people and organisations - for example, by government in changing the law where it has been needed and modernising the vehicle registration system, by manufacturers with the introduction of electronic immobilisers and improved security on cars, through targeted police action and, of course, by motorists themselves," she said.

"By continuing to work closely with the motor industry, local partnerships, police and the public we can help drive car crime down further.

"We are targeting the 5,000 most prolific and persistent offenders in the country responsible for the most crime, sharing good practice through the crime reduction website, highlighting to motorists the steps they can take to reduce their risk of being a victim of car crime and working with police forces to identify ways of increasing the recovery of forensic material to assist detections."