Drivers have been urged to bolt their number plates to their cars after an increase in registration plates being stolen.
Pc Dan Heard, who is community police team officer for the Tendring area of Essex, put out the warning on his Twitter feed after noticing a rise of the crime in the district, which includes Clacton, Colchester, Harwich and Frinton-on-Sea.
He urged those who come across the crime in Tendring to report it to Essex Police and said people could consider anti-theft devices to thwart thieves.
He wrote on Twitter: “We are seeing an increase in the theft of number plates from vehicles in the Tendring area.
“Please report suspicious activity around vehicles. Consider fitting anti theft number plate screws/bolts.”
Anyone who witnesses a number plate theft should contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
If a crime is in progress, people should call 999.
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