Number plate thefts are on the rise in Kent, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.

Ten out of 13 local authorities saw an increase in the number of vehicle registration number thefts in 2018, compared to the previous two years.

Medway, Dartford and Sevenoaks had the highest rates of number plate theft in the county.

The information acquired in an FOI request by KentOnline shows the number of reported incidents over the last three years.

Chief inspector Guy Thompson said: "The rise in number plate theft is a national issue and it is not isolated to Kent.

"Number plate thefts allow criminals to clone other cars. These vehicles are then often linked to more serious offences such as burglary, or stealing fuel from petrol stations.

"This kind of theft can leave innocent drivers facing penalties for charges they haven’t incurred, such as speeding fines and congestion fees."

Sevenoaks experienced the highest increase in a one year period - rising from 67 in 2017 to 121 the following year.

The crime has more than doubled in Canterbury and in Ashford, it has increased by 60%.

Dover and Tunbridge Wells had the lowest rates of number plate theft in the county.

Last month, a man fell victim to the crime after he went into a petrol garage to pay for fuel.

Ryan Pepper, 20, was shocked to find that the number plates had been stolen from his vehicle after he came out of the BP garage in Hythe Road, Ashford.

He has now decided to display the front personalised number plate in the windscreen of his car as he says he cannot afford to replace them again.

He told KentOnline: "When I get pulled over by police asking why my front plate is in my window screen and not on my car I have to explain that my custom registration is worth a lot of money and I can’t afford to keep having my plate stolen."

The most recent example of theft is in Tenterden and a neighbourhood watch team has issued an appeal to warn residents about a spate of number plate thefts in the area.

Writing on Facebook, Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch said: "Please be aware of a spate of thefts from motor vehicles in the Tenterden area in relation to the removal and theft of number plates.

"This is happening all over the District but most recently in the Tenterden area – Cranbrook Road and Causton Woods area."

Another resident in Ashford also had plates stolen from her car while it was parked outside her house in Hurst Road, Kennington.

The woman, who did not wish to be named said: "The plates were on my car at 10:30pm on a Friday night and when I left my house at 7am the following morning they were gone.

"My car was parked right outside my garden gate in a little car park at the back of my house.

"They took the back one easy as it was taped on and they must have damaged the front one a little as it was fixed with screws.

"The number plates were stolen the same night a BMW was stolen from another part of Kennington. Police just recorded it and didn't investigate, so I have no idea if they were ever found.

"I think they were on the BMW that was stolen, but there is no solid evidence."

Kent Police say they are working hard to crack-down number plates thefts in Kent and Medway.

Mr Thompson added: "We are working hard to deter and detect criminals but we also need drivers to play their part and ensure their vehicles are secure as possible.

"Across the county we have run crime reduction workshops where tamper proof screws have been handed out to motorists. The screws secure their number plate and it makes it harder to steal.

"If anyone has information about those responsible for number plate theft I would ask them to contact Kent Police or the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent."

In January, detectives investigating a large number of crimes in East Kent where cars, car keys and number plates have been reported stolen arrested four people in connection with the crimes.

Last week, police seized seven stolen luxury vehicles - which all had false number plates - from a property near Dartford.