Groups pitch in to install safer plates

A COLLECTION of community groups and organisations grabbed the tools at the weekend to help cut down on number plate theft.

Neighbourhood Watch Greater Geelong organised the Leopold Safe Plate Day on Saturday with assistance from Victoria Police, Bellarine SES and Ocean Grove Barwon Heads Lions Club.

Setting up in the car park outside of Bunnings Warehouse in the Gateway Plaza shopping centre, volunteers – including staff from the Bunnings store- installed 82 sets of anti-theft screws on the spot for a gold coin donation.

Neighbourhood Watch Greater Geelong co-ordinator Rhonda Rotherham said the four-hour event went well, despite a slight hiccup in the team helping out on the day.

“We had the Bellarine SES but only for the morning, when they were called away to an incident in Ocean Grove, which left us with a skeleton staff for the rest of the morning.

“But the Leopold CFA came along and filled the gap, so it was a really successful event, and a lot of people are asking ‘When is the next one?’.”

She said Neighbourhood Watch tried to run the safe plate days at least twice a year, and hoped to hold its next one in early 2024.

Funds raised on the day will be split three ways between Neighbourhood Watch, the Bellarine SES and the Ocean Grove Barwon Heads Lions Club.

“For Neighbourhood Watch, the funds go towards more screws for future events,” Ms Rotherham said

“While we ask for a gold coin donation, it barely covers the cost of the screws, but it’s self-funding, so we move onto the next one.”

Anti-theft screws are fitted with a standard screwdriver but can only be removed with a special tool.

Ms Rotherham said a number plate with anti-theft screws did not guarantee it could not be stolen, but the screws were certainly a deterrent.

“The criminals just want a quick fix – they grab a screwdriver, whip the plate off and off they go.

“These screws are removable with a bit of work, but it’s too time-costly for criminals; they’ll just move onto the next vehicle.

“The theft of plates is quite common, particularly when fuel prices rise, but people also steal plates to use in other crimes, such as burglaries.

“It just pays to secure your plates, especially if you’re parking at railway stations and other remote locations.”

Neighbourhood Watch Greater Geelong and Neighbourhood Watch Bellarine are on the lookout for more volunteers.

For more information, head to their respective Facebook pages at facebook.com/nhwgreatergeelong and facebook.com/nhwbellarine, or nhw.com.au