USE of sophisticated security systems has resulted in fewer new cars being stolen or broken into - but fleets are being warned that commercial vehicles could be next on the criminal agenda. Home office minister Alun Michael says that although vehicle crime fell by more than 9% during 1997, there is no room for complacency.

And, while car manufacturers have gone a long way towards making their vehicles thief-proof, van-makers must now do the same.'Great strides have been made in making new vehicles more secure and that is reflected in reducing crime figures,' he said. 'There has been success in terms of passenger cars, now there is a need to have increased security on commercial vehicles, both light commercials and major plant, and that is something we are keen to encourage. It is surprising when you consider the number of noughts involved in the price of these vehicles that the level of security, in some cases, is not higher.'

The minister was speaking at the Metropolitan Police Stolen Vehicle Unit in north London, where the Crimestoppers charity - which enables people to report crime anonymously - was announcing its 1997 anti-vehicle crime successes.