Petrol station "drive-offs" are on the increase as high fuel prices and increasing interest rates make people desperate.

Clitheroe's Emergency Community Support Officer Karl Elliott is reassuring drivers that while crime is very low in the Ribble Valley compared to the national average and it remains one of the safest places to live, he is urging motorists to keep an eye on their vehicles.

He said: "So far there have only been one or two occasions of local service station drive-offs. However, in other towns there have been reports of gangs are going round stealing number plates so they can be attached to vehicles and used to fill up at petrol stations.

"The police are going along with a proactive approach rather than reactive. We have provided all the petrol stations in the Ribble Valley with better signage, posters and will be operating a ring-round system to keep a track of what's happening.

"Members of the public are being urged to be on their guard. Report any unusual number plates such as those with pieces of black sticky tape stuck over them."

Call ECSO Elliott on 01200 443344 with information.