Dear Sir,

On Saturday evening (23rd September), a Newton Aycliffe couple noticed two people trespassing by the bay windows of our flat at around 9.30pm. We thought nothing of it and retired to bed.

The following morning, my partner went out to her car to take her grandson to football practice and saw that the number plates had been forcibly removed.

I am absolutely certain the plates were on the vehicle when we parked up the previous evening. The police have been informed and are making enquiries.

While I am not suggesting that the two persons we saw on Saturday evening were responsible, I would advise residents to be aware of this and to keep an eye on their vehicles.

Name & address supplied