THE Argus' battle against vehicle crime in Gwent has gained another ally as a senior judge gives his support to many of the aims of our Car Safe campaign.

Since our campaign launch on July 28, it has been backed by the public, police, magistrates, car-park operators, MPs and AMs in the area.

And today we can reveal that Judge John Griffith Williams, QC, the Recorder of Cardiff, supports the campaign.

He told the Argus: "Like every sensible member of the public, I support a campaign - whether in Gwent or elsewhere - to raise public awareness about car safety, to make car-park operators more accountable for security, to expose car-crime hotspots and to reduce crime figures."

But, he added: "As a judge, I will not and cannot comment about a campaign for increased sentences for repeat offenders."

The Argus launched the Car Safe campaign after police revealed vehicle crime in Gwent was reaching epidemic proportions.

Since the launch we have revealed - through readers' experiences of car crime and evidence from police - the car parks and streets where motorists are most at risk of car crime.

We have gained the support of the people who manage some of the biggest car parks in Gwent.

And after revealing a number of break-ins in the car park at the Newport Retail and Leisure Park, Spytty, owners Johnsey Estates stepped up security.

Shortly after our campaign launch, police initiated their own car crime clampdown Operation Maple, on August 1.

Police statistics show the total number of car crimes in Gwent fell in August and continued to drop in September. Figures for October are not yet available.

Last month, magistrates in Gwent also voted to get tough on car criminals by imposing deterrent sentences where appropriate.