Police have warned motorists to be on their guard following a spate of number plate thefts in Barnet in recent weeks.

Six cars had their registration plates stolen in Westhorpe Gardens, in Hendon, Finchley Road, Golders Green, Rookery Way, in The Hyde, and Laleham Avenue, Mill Hill.

The thefts occurred between Tuesday 18 and Sunday 23 March and cars targeted included an Audi A4, a Honda Jazz and a Citreon C4.

Sergeant Jane Tuffin, from Coppetts Safer Neighbourhoods Policing Team, said: "Thieves only need one minute to steal number plates and they can be used for various offences like driving away from petrol stations without paying, avoiding police recognition systems of out-of-date insurance or MOT and even be used to commit other more serious crimes.”