Thames Valley and the British Transport Police have teamed up in a move which could see a fall in the number of home insurance claims made in the area over the festive period.

Operation Locomotion - which is being launched later this week - will see officers boarding trains to warn commuters about the increased burglary risk at this time of year.

Inspector Sean Hodgson, Thames Valley police's head of crime reduction, said people could reduce their chances of being targeted by opportunist criminals by keeping doors and windows locked.

He warned: "Thieves really enjoy Christmas - not for the reasons most of us do - but because at this time of year thieves take advantage of any opportunity to steal Christmas presents."

In other news, Bracknell police recently reported they were making use of huge posters to remind people living in the area to be on their guard against burglars.

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Equipping new vehicles with their own tyre pressure gauges could result in a drop in comprehensive car insurance claims, it has been suggested.

Gem Motoring Assist pointed out 43 people were killed on the road last year in the UK as a result of under-inflated or defective tyres.

It added the same problem resulted in another 1,000 traffic collisions in 2007.

Chief executive David Williams stated: "People are very neglectful about checking their tyres - and that is reflected in more than one million MOT failures in 2007-8 as a result of tyre defects."

He explained if drivers had their own digital tyre pressure reader they may be more inclined to ensure their tyres are properly inflated.

Mr Williams also warned people could not always rely on fuel station facilities to provide an accurate result.

In other news, Gem recently urged motorists to be careful when on the road at night, as 40 per cent of traffic collisions occur during the hours of darkness.

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A campaign in Leeds - which police hope will cut the number of home insurance claims made over the festive period - has got off to a good start, it has been reported.

During the first two weeks of Operation Affinity, 44 people have been arrested in connection with burglaries in the city.

The initiative means any break-in is managed as a critical incident and investigated using the additional resources set aside for the campaign.

Neighbourhood policing teams are supporting the operation by providing advice to residents to increasing security and reducing their chances of being targeted by burglars.

Superintendent Simon Atkin said: "I would like to remind householders that simple precautions including leaving a light on and ensuring doors and windows are locked can help cut incidents of burglary significantly."

This comes after the police urged people in Leeds to step up their security following a spate of burglaries in the city.

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Van insurance customers who are keen to be as environmentally-friendly as possible can now check out the carbon emissions of vehicles online.

The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) has produced a CO2 tool which can be accessed on its website and allows users to compare the emissions of different makes and models.

According to the group, it has been calling on manufacturers to make this information available for a year.

The organisation said van makers have agreed to supply this data, but not until later in 2009.

In response, BVRLA decided to launch its own guide to assist people purchasing vehicles.

Head of legal services Jay Parmer stated: "We hope this online tool will fill some of the information vacuum faced by UK van buyers."

In other news, BVRLA said the VAT cut announced in the pre-Budget report last week will provide a boost to the vehicle rental and leasing sector.

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In news which may be welcomed by fans of the distinctive vehicle, Mini is to bring out a "completely new" version of its convertible model.

The firm states that the Mini Cooper and Cooper S derivatives will be launched on March 28th of next year, priced at £15,995 and £18,995 respectively.

According to Mini, the new vehicles have a raised shoulder line and a "more purposeful and dynamic stance" than their predecessors.

The cars' manufacture adds that the canvas roofs of the second-generation Mini convertibles can be fully retracted in 15 seconds using a roof-frame mounted toggle switch.

This function is available even when the car is in motion at speeds of up to 20 mph.

Meanwhile, drivers who do not wish to have the full top-down experience will be able to use an electric roof which can be retracted by around 40 cm to create the effect of a sunroof.

Drivers who intend to purchase one of the new Minis and who are looking to minimise their insurance costs may be interested in advice recently issued by TyreSafe.

The organisation suggested that fitting vehicles with cold weather tyres could reduce road users' chances of having to make a claim on their cover policy as a result of an accident.

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Motorists are being issued a warning concerning drink driving over the festive period.

Road safety minister Jim Fitzpatrick has launched a campaign entitled THINK! urging revellers to leave their car keys at home.

The £1.6 million initiative is being supported by Coca-Cola, meaning that thousands of pubs across the UK will be dispensing free soft drinks to drivers in a bid to encourage them to steer clear of alcohol.

In addition, the Association of Chief Police Officers is to coordinate a police operation to crackdown on motorists who are over the limit, with many forces set to use new digital breath-testing equipment.

Mr Fitzpatrick said: "My message to drivers is clear. If you get behind the wheel after a festive tipple you risk wrecking your own and other people's lives - don't do it."

Meanwhile, in another warning to road users, the Institute of Advanced Motorists recently reminded motorcyclists to be aware of the various dangers they face, including people in cars who fail to spot them.

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Drivers are being urged to remove valuable items from cars when leaving them unattended or risk a motor insurance claim.

North Tyneside police have launched an initiative in which they jot down the registration details of unoccupied vehicles with expensive gear in view and send a letter to the owner advising them to be more careful.

The scheme has been established in support of Northumbria police's Don't Let Thieves Steal Your Christmas campaign.

Commenting on the initiative, Detective Chief Inspector Mick Paterson stated: "Most of these types of crime are preventable and we want to remind Christmas shoppers in particular never leave shopping on display ... it's an open invitation to thieves."

He added parking in a well-lit area could reduce a motorist's chances of being targeted by a thief and having to make a car insurance claim.

In other news, TyreSafe recently claimed motorists should consider fitting cold weather tyres to their vehicles this winter.

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People who could do without the hassle of a home insurance claim over Christmas are being urged to remain vigilant during the festive season.

Cleveland police have warned it is vital that homeowners do not make life easy for burglars.

PC Ian Solomon said: "Whilst people are pre-occupied getting ready for the celebrations they are perhaps not as security conscious as they usually would be."

He pointed out simple security steps, such as locking doors and windows, could reduce people's chances of being targeted by thieves.

PC Solomon added in a third of all break-ins, burglars do not have to make a forced entry.

To avoid being targeted while the house is unoccupied, police also advised homeowners to invest in timers which can turn lights on and off.

Meanwhile, the force recently reported the number of burglaries in Middlesbrough between June and August this year dropped by 22.6 per cent, compared with 2007.

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Trades people and builders who do not want to have to make a van insurance claim are being encouraged to remove equipment from vehicles when parking up at night.

Leicestershire police have issued this warning to people resident in the county after a spate of thefts over recent weeks.

In the past fortnight, electrical equipment and tools have been taken from 15 vehicles, after thieves gained entry by breaking door locks or cutting through the rubber around rear windows.

Inspector Mark Cuddihy from the North Area Community Safety Bureau said: "Although it can be inconvenient to empty your van at the end of the day, it is not as inconvenient as having to replace the stolen items."

He also suggested workers locked vans when leaving them unattended during the day.

In other news, Leicestershire police recently reminded drivers to check their lights were working properly now the nights are drawing in.

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If a motorist is unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident, as well as a good car insurance policy, they will also want to be in the safest vehicle possible.

Therefore, drivers who are looking to update their current motor may want to check out the Honda Accord.

In the most recent Euro Ncap crash tests, the vehicle was awarded the best combined safety rating in its class.

Achieving the first-ever three-star pedestrian mark in the large family category, the car also received four stars for child protection and five for the safety it offers adult occupants.

When asked about the Accord, the manufacturer's UK managing director Ken Keir said: "Customers can experience the most effective safety technologies put into practice, with our goal of providing safety for everyone."

In other Honda news, the carmaker recently launched an ecological drive assist system, designed to improve fuel efficiency and save motorists money at the pump.

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Motorists who fit vehicles with cold weather tyres could reduce their chances of having to make a car insurance claim this winter, it has been suggested.

According to TyreSafe, many road users drive on the same tyres all year round.

However, it stated this may not be such a good idea, pointing out that Department for Transport statistics show slippery surfaces were responsible for 55 per cent of traffic accidents in 2007 where the state of the road was a factor.

TyreSafe chairman Rob Beddis said fitting tyres specifically designed to deal with icy and snowy conditions could help keep motorists safe.

He explained: "With temperatures frequently below seven degrees C in the UK over winter, particularly in rush hour when the traffic is at its heaviest, cold weather tyres offer a sensible alternative."

In earlier advice issued by TyreSafe, the group claimed vehicle owners should check the tread depth on their tyres at this time of year to make sure they offer sufficient grip on slippery surfaces.

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The number of work-related car insurance claims could be reduced if employees received advanced training, according to Mercedes-Benz World.

It claimed it may be possible to prevent some 55,000 accidents, if workers who get behind the wheel in the course of their employment were given additional instruction.

The organisation highlighted figures from the Department for Transport which showed 27 per cent of all UK crashes involve individuals who are making a work-related journey or commute.

In response to this fact, Mercedes-Benz World has decided to introduce a course for firms who want to improve their employees' driving skills.

Commenting on the need for advanced training for workers, spokesperson Peter O'Halloran said: "Driving is potentially one of the most dangerous things we do and time pressures, meetings and deadlines can be especially distracting when driving for work."

Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz World recently pledged to reduce the number of road deaths caused by traffic collisions involving young drivers.

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Motorists need to be wary of thieves over the Christmas period if they want to avoid a car insurance claim, Surrey police have warned.

The force has urged drivers to keep bags - and even wrapping paper - out of view in unattended vehicles.

It explained a bag of stocking fillers on the back seat of a car would make a thief's day.

Motorists were also warned that some criminals target car parks, looking out for people who drop off presents in their vehicle before heading back into town to carry on shopping.

Crime reduction advisor Jamie Robinson stated: "It is important for people to be particularly vigilant at this time of year."

Meanwhile, motorists who have had to make a car insurance claim after having their vehicle broken into may be pleased to hear a police crackdown in Wigan and Leigh has resulted in three arrests in recent weeks.

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Losing the no-claims bonus on their comprehensive car insurance could be the least of a motorist's worries if their vehicle is stolen with the keys in the ignition, Nottinghamshire police have warned.

According to the force, people who leave their motors unattended with the engine running while it warms up could be making a costly mistake.

This warning was issued after two cars were stolen in similar circumstances, bringing the total in the county to 16 for the month.

Mike Gough, crime reduction manager, said: "Often insurance companies will not pay out on claims for vehicles after engines of unattended vehicles are left running, as motorists are expected to secure their own vehicles."

He added he hoped drivers would take his comments on board straight away rather than waiting until they became a victim.

In other news, Greater Manchester police have warned motorists, if they leave their satnavs in their vehicles, they may end up having to make a car insurance claim.

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Figures which reveal a drop in the number of people killed and injured in traffic collisions in Scotland - which may also have resulted in fewer car insurance claims - have been welcomed by a road safety group.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa) said overall statistics which show an 11 per cent drop in both fatalities and serious injuries are good news.

However, it added it was not all good news.

The figures also showed there had been an increase in the number of motorcyclists seriously injured and people killed in light goods vehicles.

Kathleen Braidwood, Rospa's road safety officer for Scotland, insisted more needed to be done.

She stated: "We must guard against complacency, as the disappointing increase in light goods vehicle fatalities shows."

In October, Rospa voiced its support for a report from the House of Commons Committee calling for more thorough investigations into work-related road deaths.

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