POLICE believe rising fuel prices have led to a 47% increase in number plate thefts in the past six months.

Thieves attach stolen plates to cars, fill up with fuel and then drive off without paying to foil petrol station security cameras.

Since February, 87 plates have been stolen from Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe boroughs.

This is compared to 59 stolen between last August and January this year.

Superintendent Mike Manley said: "While the amount of vehicle crime across the division has gone down by 27% in the last year, there has been a recent rise in thefts of number plates, which has affected all areas.