Stacey Wightley is keen to install the new anti-theft screws on offer after one of her personalised number plates was stolen last week.
By Callan Date
MOTORIST Stacey Wightley has vowed to be one of the first Casey residents to take up the new anti-theft screws offer after one of her personalised number plates was stolen last Friday.
The 18-year-old was furious after her much-loved pink STAYC-0 plate was taken from her car while it was parked out the front of her Cranbourne house.
Ms Wightley spent $380 on her unique plates and now has the inconvenience of driving her Hyundai Lantra without the rear plate, as well as paying an $80 fee for a replacement.
“I’m really angry,” she said.
“I have only had them for eight months and one has already been stolen.”
The Cranbourne resident’s bad luck came a week too early as Casey Council and Victoria Police officially launched Operation Safe Plate on Tuesday.
As reported in the News last week, a five-week trial to fit anti-theft screws to vehicle number plates will be conducted at several locations throughout Casey.
The trial follows recent crime figures showing an increase in licence plate thefts, with the stolen plates placed on different cars whose drivers then steal petrol.
Safe Plate officials and local volunteers will be fitting the new screws to the cars of consenting owners for free at Cranbourne train station on 4, 5 and 6 September from 9.30am to 2pm.
Ms Wightley said she would definitely head down to one of the locations from which Casey Council would be distributing the anti-theft screws in order to protect her plates from being stolen again.
Motorists can head to Narre Warren train station on 11, 12 and 13 September and Hallam train station on 2, 3, 4 October from 9.30am to have the screws fitted.
Police will also be at Merinda Park train station on 9, 10 and 11 October and Berwick train station on 16, 17 and 18 October.
Operation Safe Plate coordinator Sergeant Terry Lloyd said police also hoped to fit the anti-theft screws to cars in two shopping centres for people who couldn’t make it to the train stations.
“We are in talks with Endeavour Hills shopping centre and Westfield Fountain Gate shopping centre to fit the screws to cars in the car park on a Sunday,” Sgt Lloyd said.
