Motorists are being urged to have one-way anti-theft screws fitted to their number plates at free events across Hume.
Crime Statistics Agency data obtained by Star Weekly reveals that number plate thefts in Sunbury increased from 43 in 2011 to 76 last year.
There were 813 number plate thefts across Hume in 2015, up from 678 in 2011.
Crime prevention officer Senior Constable Jacqui Newman says up to 48 per cent of thefts from motor vehicles across Victoria involve number plates being stolen.
‘‘These plates are then used for petrol drive-offs or much more serious crimes such as burglaries, armed robberies and ram raids,’’ she says.
‘‘Often when we do catch up with these people, they have numerous sets of plates on them.’’
‘Safe plate’ days around Hume will be held at:
- Bunnings Warehouse, Craigieburn, 10am until 2pm this Saturday.
- Sunbury’s AVEO retirement village, 45 Cornish Street, 10am -2pm this Sunday
- Bunnings Warehouse Sunbury, 10am-2pm, April 16
- Gladstone Park shopping centre, 10am-2pm, April 17.
One-way screws are also available over the counter at Hume police stations.
