Police in Norwich are trying to solve a real-life conundrum after a spate of letter thefts from shop signs.

Officers are trying to work out whether the thieves might be trying to create a Countdown- style anagram with the letters, and are asking the public for help in working out what they might spell in the hope it will lead them to the criminals.

PC Rob Whiting of Norfolk Police said: "Perhaps they are fans of Countdown, but it's outrageous that they can go around ripping letters and signs from shops."

The letters N, N, I, G, L, O, A, M, S, L, D, A, Y, W, N and A have so far been stolen from seven different stores, from which the names Sam, Danny, Alan, Lloyd and Manning can be spelt.