POLICE believe car registration plates stolen in the West Midlands have been used in a number of 'drive-off' crimes at petrol stations.

An old-style white BMW was seen at a garage in Haslingden where it filled up with unleaded petrol and drove off without paying. The same car was then seen at Bolton Road Service Station, in Bolton Road, Darwen, last Monday where it again filled up and drove off without paying.

The driver was later seen removing the front and back registration plates and throwing them into a bush at the side of the road, in Pole Lane. These plates were stolen from a vehicle in Dudley, West Midlands.

Anybody with any information should call Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.