Motorists in the Sevenoaks area can help protect themselves against number plate theft and vehicle crime by attending a police help-shop this afternoon outside the Halfords store on Sevenoaks Retail Park, Old Otford Road.

Officers will be there until 4pm, fitting anti-tamper screws to car number plates for free.

Some offenders steal number plates and fit them to their own cars. It is the original innocent driver who then gets the bill for any speeding fines or congestion charges.

Stolen number plates may also be used in the theft of petrol and diesel to escape ANPR cameras at petrol stations.

Once fitted, the special anti-tamper screws cannot easily be removed, preventing the plate from being stolen.