CAR licence plates are becoming the target of thieves.

The theft of car licence plates is on the increase according to police, with some plates later being involved in other crimes.

Overnight between Wednesday, July 2 and Thursday, July 3, licence plates were stolen from a blue Micra parked in Passage Road, Aust.

These plates were later attached to a blue Renault, which was involved in a drive off at the Shell petrol station at Cribbs Causeway where £42.14 worth of petrol was stolen.

Licence plates were also stolen from a Saab parked in Ashgrove, Thornbury, overnight between Sunday, July 6, and Monday, July 7. This plate has not been used in any criminal activity.

Sgt Craig Ogborne, of Thornbury Police Station, said: "The advice we are giving people is to ensure that licence plates are properly secured, not just stuck on.

"We would ask car owners to consider riveting plates on rather than just using plastic screws because the plate is more likely to break if removed, rendering it useless."

Anyone with any information about these crimes should call Avon and Somerset Police on 0845 456 7000 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.