By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
POLICE have launched a blitz on number plate thefts this week, targeting culprits across the state.
The SAFEPL8 sting comes as Casey was announced as one of the municipalities with the highest recorded number plate thefts from 2011-12.
As part of the three-month operation, local police will increase patrols in theft hot spots while also conducting random mobile registration checks.
Phil Atkins, Senior Sergeant from Narre Warren Police Station, said fuel prices often influence a rise in licence plate thefts in the area.
“It spikes and falls but if you follow the price of petrol, you tend to see a trend,” he said.
“When the price of fuel goes up, people want to do petrol drive-offs with stolen plates.”
More than 10,000 plates were reported stolen last financial year and Assistant Commissioner Andrew Crisp called on the community to be wary.
“We’re calling on the community to be vigilant when it comes to preventing number plate theft by fitting one-way screws and, where possible, parking off the street and in well lit areas,” he said.
“Any extra time required by a thief to remove number plates as well as an increased likelihood of attracting attention, greatly reduces the risk of a number plate being stolen.”
Mr Crisp also warned that number plate theft could lead to more serious crimes.
“Intelligence tells us that stolen number plates are known to be used in burglaries, drug trafficking and petrol drive-offs,” he said.
“It’s a preventable crime that takes officers off the street and away from their patrol duties.”
Anyone with information about number plate theft is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or for more information about purchasing one-way screws visit www.police.vic.gov.au.
