Cherished Number Plates News

Number Plate Thefts Increase In Gloucestershire

26 September 2008

People travelling on roads in Gloucestershire have been warned to make sure that their licence plates are fully secured to their vehicle and to be vigilant in public parking lots and cautious about where they park their cars, according to a local news source.

An increase in the number of plates stolen from vehicles in the area has been recorded in recent weeks, according to the Gloucestershire Gazette. The phenomenon o stealing plates to use in crimes to avoid identification has been rampant for years now in the country and has become an increasing local concern among the population of Gloucestershire.

The news source added that in some cases the number plates were attached to other vehicles and used to commit crimes. Other plates that have been reported stolen in the area have not turned up on any CCTV involving crime however are a worry to police that crime in the area may surge now that criminals have hidden identities.

Motorcycle riders who find themselves the victim of such a crime could discover that they have to pay more for their motorcycle insurance policies in the future. This is because cover firms may view them as negligent owners for not ensuring their plates were secure.

Sergeant Craig Osbourne from Thornybury Police Station said: "The advice we are giving people is to ensure that licence plates are properly secured, not just stuck on."

The Chorley Guardian reported it earlier this week that there may be a link between the number of stolen licence plates in the area and the amount of drive-off crimes being committed at local petrol stations. The stealing of petrol has risen in recent months in some areas and is thought to be related to the rise in the cost of fuel.