A SCREW has become police's latest weapon in the fight against stolen number plates.

But this is no ordinary screw - it is tamper proof and officers hope it will stop attempts to use stolen number plates to disguise vehicles used in crime.

It comes after an increase in number plate thefts across Blackburn - in the last two weeks there has been 12 incidents.

Crime Prevention Officer Carol Hendey, who is based in Blackburn, now has a selection of tamper proof screws available from the station.

Police said there was no pattern associated with the thefts but said it was a mystery as to why they were being stolen.

Insp Claire Holbrook said: "Not only does this cause a big problem to car owners, but it is a mystery as to why the number plates have been stolen in the first place.

"In the past, they have been stolen in order to be used in other crimes such as drive-offs at petrol stations, but this does not seem to be the case on this occasion.

"I appeal to anyone to contact us if they know who is responsible.

"If anyone is concerned about falling victim, I advise them to get some tamper proof screws, either from the police or a hardware store or they can buy a special glue to fix the plate to their vehicle."

Anyone with information can contact police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.