Plates locked in

CASEY police are taking a pro-active step to ensure local residents don’t become victims of number plate theft.
Casey’s Theft of Motor Car Action Team (TOMCAT) will be running a ‘plate day’ at Cranbourne Bunnings this Saturday 22 December.
Residents are invited along to have police install one way screws for both their vehicle number plates for free.
Sergeant Stuart Freeman said it was one of the pro-active initiatives run by Casey TOMCAT to combat the theft of number plates within the Casey area.
“We are holding this event as part of a pro-active strategy to provide free one-way screws, which are unable to be removed once placed on the vehicle to prevent theft, to motorists to minimise opportunities for number plate thefts within the City of Casey.
“These plates are then generally used on other vehicles to commit further criminal offences and this is part of our initiative to reduce crime overall.
“There is nothing to suggest that there is a higher rate of number plate theft in Casey above the state average, however it is still of a significant concern to us that this offence is occurring – and that furthermore, are being utilised in secondary criminal offences.
Sgt Freeman urged people to come along on Saturday.
“It’s an opportunity for members of the community to receive this free service, with the aim of better securing their property,” he said.
“It is also a great opportunity for the community to interact with police and receive relevant advice and information in respect of these types of offences.”
Police will be at Bunnings Cranbourne, at the Homemaker Centre, from 10am to 2pm.