Motorists putting their cars up for sale have been advised to avoid disclosing details of their registration plates.

Staffordshire police have warned that criminals may use advertisements in the local press, national magazines and on the internet for their own gain.

They can steal a similar make and model to the one advertised and then have a matching number plate made up, the force warned.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Hurst, from the Staffordshire police Chase division, said: "I would urge motorists that if they are advertising their vehicle to please ensure the number plate is blacked out on the photograph."

The officer warned that cloned vehicles can pick up parking fines and speeding tickets, resulting in the "genuine owners receiving correspondence regarding these offences".

Such offences could potentially cause problems for people, as speeding penalties can increase the cost of car insurance.

West Yorkshire police recently encouraged local motorists to fix their number plates with tamper-proof screws to prevent them from being stolen.

Steve Blakeley, Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer for Dewsbury, said that such thefts continue to be a problem in the region.

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