CRIMINALS are using stolen licence plates to create “ghost cars” capable of escaping traffic fines, police warned last night.

In the first four-and-a-half-months of the year, plates have been stolen from 72 parked cars in Oxford – a 15 per cent increase on the same period last year.

In April alone, 42 number plates were stolen from 23 different cars across the city.

Det Sgt Matt Jarman, of Oxford’s auto crime team, has asked motorists to check their licence plates are attached securely.

If the plates are stolen, owners may find mysterious fines and driving penalties landing on their doorstep, he warned.

DS Jarman said: “If you take a number plate and put it on a similar or identical vehicle what you have in effect is a ghost car.

“Nine times out of 10, number plates are taken by criminals who want to drive away from garages or get away without paying speeding fines, car parking fines or the congestion charge in London.

“Luckily at the moment very few are coming up for more serious crimes.”

He added: “It has increased and in part this is because it is very easy. It seems to be the crime of choice at the moment.”

No single type of vehicle is being targeted and the thieves are stealing plates from vehicles all across the city.

Usually thieves steal licence plates from similar cars to ones they own, then drive away from petrol stations after filling up without paying.

When police use registration plates to investigate the theft, instead of arresting a criminal, the evidence leads them to an innocent motorist who has been a victim of licence plate theft.

DS Jarman said: “The most important thing is to make sure the number plate is secure. If they are hanging off or put on with sticky tape and velcro then someone will notice.”

Motorists can pick up one-way screws from Cowley Police Station, or by calling a crime reduction adviser on 08458 505505.

If a thief attempts to steal licence plates attached to one-way screws the plate breaks and shatters.

Det Sgt Jarman added: “I can understand people will not want to drill holes into their nice new cars, but if they are not secure thieves will find it very easy.”