Sarawak police will form a special task force to investigate the many cases of missing vehicles in the state.

Sarawak police commissioner Datuk Muhammad Sabtu Osman said, although the state's crime index has declined, cases of theft of vehicles have increased.

"I have directed that a special task force be formed to find out where the stolen vehicles ended after they were stolen," he told reporters after a walkabout in Morsjaya market here yesterday.

Muhammad, who only took over as state police chief in Aug, said the special task force will gather information from intelligence and public feedback.

Preventive action will be undertaken including tightening border control to reduce the cases of theft of vehicles in Sarawak.

Kuching recorded more car theft cases while Miri recorded more theft cases involving four-wheel drive vehicles.