Crackdown on fuel and number plate thefts

Officers equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras will be deployed to selected roads across the district on a regular basis as part of the campaign to clamp down on cars carrying false plates.

Police will also be working more closely with petrol station owners to encourage them to make sure all fuel thefts are reported and to ensure they are using good quality closed circuit TV wherever possible to help identify offenders.

The operation has been launched following a small number of reports of the use of stolen plates in ‘make off’ offences from petrol stations in Bradford and Keighley since January.

Det Chief Insp Steve Thomas, of Airedale and North Bradford CID, said: “We have received reports of the use of stolen number plates in a handful of fuel thefts and are stepping up action with partners to target those responsible and nip this issue in the bud now.

“Having identified the key locations we will be deploying covert ANPR resources to catch anyone who thinks they can pull up on the forecourt with a false plate on the car in a bid to steal fuel.

“The cost of this crime is being passed on to the wider motoring public so I would appeal to anyone who has information about this type of crime to get in touch with us and help us put a stop to it.”

Police will also be stepping up efforts to secure car number plates, making them harder to steal, with a series of events across Keighley and Bradford over the coming weeks.

Traffic and neighbourhood policing officers began the operation on Friday and stopped eight vehicles for a variety of matters, including the use of mobile phones while driving.

For details of number plate fixing events visit www.westyorkshire.police.uk/npt.