DRIVERS are being warned to be on their guard following a series of number plate thefts from vehicles in Warrington.
Over the pat six months 76 number plates have been stolen from vehicles of all shapes and sizes across the town.
Police are warning motorists to be on their guard and to report any further incidents to them.
Inspector Andy Ross said: “We have seen a steady increase in this type of crime and we are taking positive steps to ensure that those responsible are identified and dealt with.
“There are a number of reasons as to why people could be stealing number plates. In the most serious of cases it could be that some number plates are being stolen to help mask the identity of vehicles that might be used in some type of crime – this is why it is so important for residents to report these incidents to us.
“These crimes can range from drive-offs, where people take petrol without paying for it, to more serious offences such as robbery.
“It could also be the case that these number plates are simply being taken for fun as ‘trophies’. But what these people need to realise is that it is a criminal offence, for which you can be prosecuted. It is also an inconvenience to the owner and an extra expense to replace the number plate.
“We take theft of number plates extremely seriously and are reviewing forensic evidence from many cases in a bid to identify those responsible.”
In some cases the number plates have been recovered, but in many cases they are still unaccounted for.
Drivers are being warned to take steps to reduce their chances of falling foul of the thieves – and to help secure the identity of their vehicle.
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