THE number of car registration plates stolen in Lancashire increased by 15.7 per cent last year, according to police figures.

In the year 2004/05 there were 623 reports of stolen plates in the county but in the following year the number had risen to 721.

The picture has been repeated across the country, and has prompted the Government to press ahead with the introduction of thief-proof plates that shatter when tampered with.

They will be launched in autumn.

Today a senior police officer in Lancashire in charge of car crime said the force was already a pioneer in combating the trend.

Det Sgt Andy Dixon, at the stolen vehicle squad based in Preston, said the force had already introduced a scheme to fit tamper-proof screws to number plates.

The scheme was devised by engineer turned bobby PC Mark Wilcock, a Pendle community beat manager.

Det Sgt Dixon said the scheme was very effective as the screws, which can only be removed with special air drills, cost just £1 to fit.

More than 3,000 cars have been fitted with them since the initiative started last year.

He said there were 36 million cars in Britain's and it would be difficult to convince people to get the thief-proof plates.

"The thief-proof plates are more expensive. The problem is convincing people to part with £30 to have them changed"

Det Sgt Dixon said the constabulary and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency were now looking into the possibility of running a national campaign to promote the screws.

He said the force used automatic number plate recognition systems that detect stolen cars and stolen plates.

A staggering 297 stolen plates had been detected after drivers had been sent speeding tickets for which they were not guilty.

For information about getting the screws fitted call 01282 472544.