A POLICE chief is not ruling out activity of organised crime groups in relation to a spate of thefts of number plates.

Since Monday, August 11, six incidents of stolen number plates have occurred in the Slough local policing area (LPA), including three on Ford Focus’ and officers are unclear why these vehicles are being targeted in particular.

Chief Inspector Gavin Wong, deputy commander for Slough LPA, said: “It is too early to say if it is linked to an organised crime group.

“But we have had an unusually large increase in the number of number plates going missing from Ford Focus’.

“Because there has been an increase in these relating to Ford Focus’, these owners need to be more aware.” Thames Valley Police have been providing free crime prevention kits specifically for number plates, which include anti-tamper one way screws.

The free kits are available from the Slough Police Station.

If you have any information about vehicle crime offenders please call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.