Curbing number plate theft on the Bellarine

BELLARINE Police and Neighbourhood Watch Bellarine have teamed up to bring Safe Plate Days to the Bellarine.

As part of the initiative, cars in the region have their numberplate screws replaced with tamper proof screws, which require a special tool to remove.

Leading Senior Constable at Bellarine Police Station Mick Tatlock said with the secure screws in place they hope to prevent the theft of number plates that are then used in crimes.

“There are a lot of number plate thefts and people use the number plates to commit crimes, a lot of the time it’s petrol drive offs, but there’s other crimes where they use plates stoles off cars.”

Community groups, volunteers and organisations have been getting involved with the initiative including the SES, Men’s Shed volunteers, Lions Club members and more.

Mr Tatlock said the issue with plate theft is prevalent right across Victoria all year round, with holiday seasons often making it worse.

“If people are walking up the street or in driveways looking for cars, they would normally just have a Phillips head screwdriver with them or a flat head screwdriver, those bolts will not come out with them.”

More than 20,000 number plate thefts are reported in Victoria each year, averaging more than 55 incidents daily and are the most commonly stolen item from vehicles.

The next Safe Plate Day will take place in Portarlington on Saturday, December 7 at WG Little Reserve, Newcombe Street between 9am and 1pm.

Those heading along on the day are asked for a gold coin donation.