A CONTROVERSIAL crime reduction scheme in Kent that gives motorists yellow tickets if valuables are spotted in their cars is to be reviewed.

The Kent Police initiative was introduced in western parts of the county, including Tunbridge Wells. It came under fire after some drivers complained that it alerted possible offenders.

Under the scheme, police officers left leaflets contained in sticky bags on parked or unattended cars if they found items such as sat navs and mobile phones left on display.

Andrew Howard, spokesman for the AA, said: "Fundamentally we see all the reasons why the police are doing this, but they have got to be careful that they don't advertise cars with valuable contents to people you don't want to alert or to potential thieves."

Chief Superintendent Mark Salisbury, Kent Police's area commander for West Kent, said the scheme was now being reviewed "because we do not want people to be fearful of becoming a victim of vehicle crime thinking this leaflet is in some way responsible".

Defending the scheme, he said: "Officers use the leaflets because we want to prevent people becoming victims of crime and, in so doing, let them know we are patrolling the area.

"They are designed to look like parking tickets so they don't advertise the fact that the vehicle is vulnerable and the information about their property can only be seen by removing the sticky bag and opening it to reveal the leaflet."

He maintained there had been a 20% reduction in thefts from vehicles during the first three months that the leaflets were used.