With number plate thefts being one of the most common crimes reported to police, Neighbourhood Watch volunteers in Shepparton are running another Safeplate Day to combat the trend.
Operation SafePl8 is a crime prevention initiative aimed at encouraging the community to help local police combat this crime.
Locals are encouraged to visit the Riverside Plaza carpark on Saturday, March 14 to have their number plates secured with one-way security screws.
Shepparton police crime prevention officer Leading Senior Constable Glenn Gibson said number plate thefts continued to occur around Greater Shepparton.
“Number plates continue to be stolen from our vehicles — of all makes, models and ages,” he said.
“The effects of number plate thefts are potentially serious. Thieves use stolen plates to disguise their vehicles and commit further, more serious crimes, such as robberies and burglaries.”
Sen Const Gibson said stolen number plates were also used to steal petrol and, in Melbourne, to commit tollway thefts.
He said motorists often did not know their number plates had been stolen until police came knocking on their door to inform them their plates had been involved in an incident.
Sen Const Gibson urged locals to attend the Safeplate Day to have their number plates secured with one-way anti-theft screws, which could be inserted using a standard screwdriver but required a special tool to be removed.
“Supply, replace and fit the security screws to your number plates for a gold coin donation,” he said.
“Victoria Police takes the theft of number plates seriously . . . thefts of number plates and the other secondary crimes are easily preventable, and they take police away from other crimes, which are not so easily prevented.”
Operation SafePl8 will be held at Riverside Plaza, Melbourne Rd, Kialla in the carpark behind Coles Express on Saturday, March 14 from 10 am to 1 pm.
20°C