THIEVES have ripped number plates off cars in Oxfordshire in a bid to escape fines and commit crimes, say police.

Between Sunday night and Tuesday morning two cars in the county were targeted. The first was parked on Albion Street, Chipping Norton, and the other on Garden Quarter, Caversfield, near Bicester.

PSCO Wesley Smith warned in an alert: "Number plates are normally stolen to place onto another vehicle to commit offences including avoidance of motoring fines."

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In another alert PCSO Louise Beaumont said Southcombe Garage in Chipping Norton were fitting anti-theft number plate screws for free.

Anti-theft screws are also available from most police stations.

With information on either theft call police on 101.