POLICE chiefs last night pledged to "name and shame" motorists who drive off without paying for their petrol.

Cleveland Police have drawn up plans to use closed circuit TV footage of drivers in a "rogue's gallery" of highway thieves for all to see.

Anyone filmed making off from garage forecourts will have their faces blown up to A4-size and displayed in a rogues' gallery of highway thieves.

The move comes after a surge in "drive-off" thefts - possibly as a result of rising petrol prices.

According to Cleveland Police, garage owners on Teesside reported a growing number of cases of drivers leaving before they pay up.

Sergeant Dave Shadforth said: "Filling stations are easy targets, particularly at night when attendants are confined to kiosks and all too often are easy prey to these modern day highwaymen.

'We are well aware it is a nationwide problem, which has significantly increased since petrol prices started to go up.

"The wanted posters will be displayed in prominent positions throughout forecourts and, hopefully, in newspapers.

"It will certainly make these people think twice before committing such crimes and, as in many cases going on to commit other offences in the area."