EXMOUTH police are appealing for help tracing the culprit who in the last week has stolen five numbers plates from cars parked in Brixington.

EXMOUTH police are appealing for help tracing the culprit who in the last week has stolen five numbers plates from cars parked in Brixington.

Some five vehicles parked in Hawthorn Grove have been targeted, the police said.

Brixington neighbourhood beat manager PC Dave Evans said: "There have probably been some thefts that have gone unreported.

"It is believed the offenders are likely to be a local youth, or youths.

"It is possible that the offender is keeping the number plates as a trophy of the crime, as opposed to using them to disguise the identity of a different vehicle to be used in other crime."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Crimestoppers or PC Evans at Exmouth police station, quoting reference KE/09/2578.