Car thieves targeted

Car thieves can expect to be targeted by police over the next fortnight.

Operation Homeland was launched this week by Auckland city police to target car crime in its eastern region.

Mt Wellington police Senior Sergeant Hirone Waretini says there will be intensive patrolling and checkpoints in hotspots, including Onehunga.

He says the number of cars being stolen is on the rise.

During the operation officers will also be making proactive visits to known car thieves throughout the city.