AN initiative to encourage drivers to fit specially-designed screws to their vehicle number plates in a bid to thwart thieves has been hailed a success.

Romsey’s PC Rupert Murray-Twinn who is in charge of the scheme, said that the public showed great interest when he demonstrated the benefits of clutch screws at the Waitrose car park in Romsey.

“About 15 cars were fitted with the screws on the day,” he said.