'Put the screws on!' motorists are urged.

POLICE in rural areas of Huddersfield are putting the screws on criminals.

Officers will be offering motorists the opportunity to secure their vehicles' number plates and prevent them from being stolen.

Next Wednesday Huddersfield Rural Crime Prevention Panel volunteers, police and crime reduction officers will be in the Morrisons supermarket car park at Meltham.

They'll be offering to replace the existing fixing screws on number plates with non-return, clutch-style screws that cannot be removed.

The scheme has been successfully run in Dewsbury and has now been expanded to the Huddersfield area.

Pc Mark Wall, Huddersfield crime reduction officer, said: "When number plates are stolen they are very often used on other vehicles to change their identity in order to commit offences such as making off from garage forecourts.

"As many garages now operate an automatic number plate recognition programme when the real car goes to fill up with fuel it can lead to the driver being refused service.

"Another problem is the issuing of fixed-penalty tickets from speed camera images. Although these can be fairly easily resolved it can be time-consuming and frustrating." Pc Wall added: "The panel is offering this free service to all motorists on a first come, first served basis.

"I would encourage everyone to take advantage of it.

"Officers will also be on hand to offer advice on all aspects of crime reduction and neighbourhood issues."

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ADVICE: Pc Mark Wall