Spate of number plate thefts in and around Droitwich

Police believe the offenders may use the plates to dodge automatic number plate recognition technology, obtain petrol without paying or commit other criminal activities.

But there have been no reports of incidents involving the stolen plates and officers are continuing to investigate the thefts.

Both number plates were ripped off a vehicle in Hanbury Road, Hanbury, on Saturday (October 3) while the front plates were taken from vehicles in Crown Lane, Wychbold, and the Chateau Impney Hotel in Droitwich on Sunday (October 4).

Sergeant Sarah Kent, of West Mercia Police, said: “We occasionally do get number plates stolen in the area but it is unusual to have had that many taken over one weekend.

“Sometimes there is a risk people are stealing them to use in crime. But we are not aware of any incidents locally where these stolen number plates have been used.

“I would imagine criminals might steal number plates similar to those on their own vehicles, so they can then avoid ANPR computers and use their cars in crimes such as making off from garages without paying or other criminal activity.

“In this way it disguises their vehicles and ensures they are not flagged up on police systems.

“That’s why it is very important for members of the public to report number plate thefts to us on 101.”

She added that number plates glued to vehicles, rather than screwed on, can sometimes fall off during wintry weather.

The mini spate of number plate thefts comes after a series of thefts from cars took place in Droitwich at the end of September.

Police believe those vehicle break-ins are linked but no-one has yet been arrested and investigations are ongoing.

A number of further car crimes also occurred in Droitwich over recent days, with two sat navs stolen from a vehicle in Hanbury Road overnight on Saturday (October 3) and designer sunglasses taken from a vehicle in Holloway Close on Sunday (October 4).