A car insurance firm has introduced a new policy for the over 50's.

The firms customers aged over 50 will no longer lose their no claims discount if their car is vandalised.

Bosses at the insurer are providing extra cover for consumers because they thought it was unfair people who had been victims of car crime should be further punished.

A British Crime Survey report exposed that there were over 1.7 million separate incidents of car vandalism recorded last year. Vandalism accounted for 17% of crime overall.

The insurance covers against damage caused by car vandals such as key scratches, slashed tyres, graffiti and smashed mirrors.

Andre Goodsell, executive chairman at the company, said: "Being a victim of car vandalism is a distressing experience and we believe it is unfair to penalise people by reducing their no claims discount as a result."

The latest addition to the cover will be offered to new customers, and existing policyholders at their renewal date.