This alarming video shows a masked man use a 'bridging device' to break into a vehicle outside a house in Greater Manchester.

GMP said the use of the device, which tricks a keyless entry car into thinking the key is nearby, is a factor in a three per cent increase in vehicle thefts across the region.

The force said it solved 56 per cent more vehicle thefts in the last year than in the previous year. But it asked residents for their assistance to tackle the use of the device.

Superintendent Ian Jones, the lead for vehicle crime, said: "The force has a number of ongoing operations to stop thieves in their tracks but there are steps drivers can take to protect their vehicles.

"If you have a keyless entry car, please keep your keys in your property and well away from your parking space and consider purchasing a Faraday Pouch or steering wheel lock which is proven to be a brilliant deterrent. I'd also encourage those with garages to use them."

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or use the LiveChat on gmp.police.uk.

They can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.