Car theft up in Raynes Park

More than ten per cent of thefts in Merton are car number plates, say police.

The registration plates are stolen in order to carry out further offences, such as driving off from petrol stations without paying for fuel.

Other car crime, including valuables being stolen from vehicles, is also on the rise, in particular Raynes Park.

Police are keen to raise awareness of the issue as part of Merton's Drive Out Vehicle Crime campaign and the Petrol Station Forecourt Watch.

Sergeant Dan Wheatley of the Raynes Park Police Team, said officers have been given out advice to motorists stopping at the Shell garage on Pepys Road, Raynes Park.

He advised people not to leave valuables on display and remove SatNav and mobile phone cradles from their windscreens.

He also said motorists can buy tamper proof number plate screws which, once fitted, cannot be removed using a normal screwdriver.