Motorists can help combat number plate theft and vehicle crime at a free anti-tamper screw fitting event next week.

Residents in the Sevenoaks area are being invited to attend the free session where local officers will be on hand to fit the screws.

The theft of number plates allows criminals to clone other cars whilst innocent motorists can incur speeding fines, congestion charges and other offences as a result.

The anti-tamper screws are one-way and once fitted they cannot easily be removed, they are then covered with a security cap as an added deterrent.

Police community support office Jenny Boyden organised the event and will be on hand to offer crime prevention advice to vehicle owners.

"The event is open to anyone and each fitting only takes around 10-15 minutes to do" - Jenny Boyden

She said: "Unfortunately criminals steal car number plates in order to commit a number of different offences.

"These offences are then wrongly blamed on the owner and cause considerable stress and inconvenience to people who have not done anything wrong.

"The event is open to anyone and each fitting only takes around 10-15 minutes to do."

Motorists are advised that the service may not be possible on plates which are either stuck on or have plastic or rusty screws.

The initiative is being held on Monday outside Knockholt Train Station between 6pm and 8pm.