AS THE Messenger celebrates it's 25th birthday it is an appropriate time to again mention 'The 25 Scheme' run by the police.

The scheme is open to any drivers over the age of 25 and costs just £1 to join.

With membership, the motorist receives two stickers to place inside the front and rear windscreens of their car which are difficult to remove once in place and indicate that the vehicle should normally only be driven by someone over 25 years of age.

Motorists who display the scheme stickers do so to alert police officers who will stop drivers in the car that are under 25 and challenge them.

Community Safety Officer at Altrincham police station, PC Tony Crompton told SUM: "The idea for the scheme came about after car crime figures were analysed and the 25 year mark gave us an indication of trends.

"We found that 80 per cent of vehicle theft is committed by persons under 25, whilst 70 per cent of the victims are over 25."

The whole aim of the scheme is to reduce the theft of vehicles - particularly by young offenders and has provided significant results since it's introduction.

PC Crompton added: "What we have found is that many young car thieves don't try to steal vehicles with 25 scheme stickers displayed as they know they are very likely to be stopped by the police.

"Anyone can join the scheme and to do so, just pop into the local police station with £1."

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