The theft of car number plates has fallen by four per cent after a police initiative to crack down on illegal vehicle registrations.
Bradford North Police stopped more than 260 vehicles with illegal number plates during the month-long campaign. Most of the drivers were issued with £30 fixed penalty notices.
Detective Inspector Noel Devine, of Bradford North CID, said plates were often altered to create personalised numbers, making it impossible to trace the vehicle if it is involved in an accident. False plates were also strongly linked to registration thefts.
Many of the cars stopped were also untaxed or uninsured.
Det Insp Devine said: "The initiative has been a huge success and has had a massive impact on the theft of number plates.
"People with cherished number plates should make sure they are legal and not amend them because they are likely to get stopped.
"We will keep doing these initiatives and link with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, which can remove the registration plate if they are found to be illegal more than once."
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