GWENT councils say they are doing everything they can to stop car thieves - but claim boosting security measures will cost too much.

A week ago today we launched our Car Safe campaign, which aims to:

* Raise public awareness about car safety.

* Make car park operators more accountable for security. * Expose car crime hotspots.

* Reduce the car crime figures.

* Increase sentences for repeat offenders.

Newport city council is backing the campaign - but says installing CCTV in its car parks is too expensive.

Councillor Bob Bright, Cabinet member for community safety, said he was "100 per cent" behind the campaign.

He said the community safety officers (formerly town rangers) in the city would be working with the police to address the escalating levels of vehicle crime. Stickers are also displayed in all the council's car parks, warning vehicle owners not to give thieves an easy target.

"The police may say 90 per cent of car parks could do more to improve security but we have demands on our budget.

"We would like CCTV in our car parks but someone has to pay for it at the end of the day."

Bill Parsons, Monmouthshire county council's transport and projects manager, said: "In principle we support the campaign and we are looking to improve our car parks within the constraints of our budget to improve usability and liability.

"But at present we won't consider having CCTV or our own security staff because of cost effectiveness."

Monmouthshire has Car Park Watch schemes, and the pay and display tickets have advice on protecting vehicles on the backs.

Blaenau Gwent's transport chief, Olwen Swales, said the biggest battle was getting more funding to increase security in car parks, adding: "I applaud the Argus campaign."

"We don't have disclaimer signs in any of our pay and display car parks," a spokesman for Caerphilly council said.

"We feel we have a responsibility to the motorists who park there, who are paying for the privilege. We have a responsibility to protect their vehicles, and we back the Car Safe campaign."

The council employs four attendants and has CCTV in most of its car parks. This will be extended once more once funding is found.

Torfaen council's deputy leader, Councillor Bob Wellington, said: "We support the Argus' campaign - hopefully it will encourage readers to lock their cars and keep valuables out of site.

"All car parking in Torfaen is free, so we don't have any income from ticket charging.

"But that's not to say we don't invest in making our car parks more secure."

* Are you a victim of car crime? Or is your business taking steps to protect customers' cars? Contact Rhiannon Beacham or Henry Widdas on 01633 777235 or 01633 777248.