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Up to four attacks a day are being recorded on the busy road into Manchester city centre which has suffered spates of similar crimes in the last year.

Drivers heeding police advice to lock their doors now face having desperate thieves smashing car windows and grabbing handbags, mobile phones or coats left on front and rear passenger seats.

In previous spates thieves have tended to strike at rush hour when drivers are caught in traffic jams but now crimes are being reported as early as 6.30am.