THIEVES have been targeting East End motorists for their car number plates - and police say the thefts may be part of a larger criminal enterprise.

The petrolhead crooks have recently nicked several number plates in the Shettleston area.

This has prompted the area’s top cop to warn other motorists to be on their guard and he has urged them to come forward if they have had their number plate stolen or they see suspicious plates on a vehicle.

Chief Inspector Stephen Hazlett, who is the area commander in the city’s East End, said: “The theft of number plates is sporadic, and happens all over the city and is not unique to Shettleston.

“There has been no real pattern to thefts but criminals will steal number plates for a variety of reasons be it to disguise their own vehicle in the commission of other crimes.”

Thieves use nicked car number plates to drive away from petrol stations without paying, dodge speed cameras and escape bus lane fines.

Number plates are also stolen by criminal gangs to be used in robberies, ram raiding, attacks and to hide the identity of a stolen vehicle commonly referred to as ‘car cloning’.

Police Scotland, however, are closing in on those involved in the thefts and the force work with several organisations in a bid to crackdown on the issue.

Chief Inspector Hazlett said: “We work with a variety of agencies including large petrol stations and supermarket chains to ensure that they protect their staff and customers from thieves who are using stolen plates in the commission of crime.”

Motorists can identify if car number plates have been stolen through a number of tell-tale signs.

Some vehicles have different number plates to the front and rear of their car.

Another obvious sign is when a number plates is held on with rubber bands or it is not straight which indicates it may have been held on temporarily with tape.

Anyone who spots these tell-tale signs on a car or has their number plate stolen is urged to contact Police Scotland.

Chief Inspector Hazlett said: “Although this may appear to many to be a relatively trivial crime, the criminal use of stolen number plates can be part of a larger criminal enterprise and I would urge anyone who is aware of stolen number plates or sees suspicious activity involving people apparently changing their number plates to contact the police with as much information as they can give.”

You can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.