UTTOXETER residents are being encouraged to help themselves as the area sees in increase in registration plate thefts.
Since the beginning of the year, nine registration plates have been stolen in the town with an average of more than 10 number plates a month reported stolen across the Trent Valley police division.
In Burton, 19 vehicle number plates were stolen, in Tamworth the figure was 18 and in Lichfield and Burntwood 18 vehicles were targeted.
Staffordshire Police Inspector Ashley Farrington said: “We are not exactly sure what is behind the increase in these thefts but they do cause an enormous amount of worry and concern to the vehicle owners involved.
“We want to put an end to these thefts and are appealing for help from drivers and members of the public,” said Inspector Farrington.
“We are seeking as much information as possible to enable us to piece together a clear picture of what is happening so we can take the appropriate action.
“If necessary, we will make arrests and take people to court because although stealing a number plate from a car may seem trivial, it can damage the vehicle and put owners through unnecessary expense.” He said vehicle owners could help themselves by refitting their number plates using super strong adhesive tabs which are available from hardware stores.
“Refitting number plates with strong adhesive tabs as well as the normal screws means that if someone tries to steal the plate, it will snap in half and the thief will probably give up,” he said.
Anyone with information about car registration plate thefts is asked to telephone Inspector Farrington on 0300 1234455 or to call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
