Police say they are not able to comment on an unusual incident in Midsomer Norton.

A motorist had her number plates stolen on June 8.

This seemed a bit strange, since neither the plates nor the car were especially rare.

The plates were later seen on CCTV at a petrol station where those who drove in then failed to pay, but there are suspicions that the car was then heading into Bristol, because, under plate identification, the car IS compliant with the new low emission zone - so it is exempt.

Police say they can't comment on any 'motivation' for crimes committed....

But a friend of the driver who lost their plates put out a social media warning, since they will actually 'save' the criminals a lot of money as they drive into the Bristol zone.

He posted: " BE WARNED!! A friend of mine had her number plates stolen from her car today. A bit strange as they aren't anything special. But it then occurred to me that, although it's an older car, it is ULEZ compliant for Bristol Clean Air zone. So could this be a new crime wave we need to look out for? Hold on to your plates guys!!"

The tax on older and diesel vehicles going into the city was introduced November 28 last year but initially there was pause in penalties while drivers got used to the system.

Non compliant vehicles are charged £9 a day to drive into the city and if they don't pay up, a Penalty Charge Notice worth £120, reduced to £60 if you pay within 14 days is imposed.

Midsomer Norton Nub News did the story about how one local resident found out to his cost, that he had been issued a notice. He had not registered the penalty because it looked like junk mail.

It has been estimated that the Bristol Zone is bringing in around £500,000 every day although the money goes to central government who remove the costs of running the central system. The remaining money is returned to the City Council who use it to "cover the costs of operating the zone ".

Any monies left over they say goes back into "improving local transport and sustainable travel options."

The costs of driving a lorry or a bus into the ULEZ in Bristol is £100.

You can check if your car is compliant on the central government web site HERE