Police are urging drivers to be careful with their number plates after a rise in the theft of them recently.
Shepparton police Proactive Police Unit Senior Constable Mitchell Bull said there had been a “significant increase” in the theft of registration plates from vehicles in Greater Shepparton in the past two months.
He said the stolen plates were being put on other vehicles that were then used in crimes such as petrol drive-offs, burglaries and police pursuits.
Sen Constable Bull urged people to change the screws on their plates to special one-way ones that can only be removed using a special tool.
“The easiest way to protect them is to use one-way number plate screws,” he said.
The special screws are available from Shepparton Police Station, as well as Bunnings, Repco and Autobarn in Shepparton.
Shepparton Neighbourhood Watch also has them, and often runs days to fit them for a gold coin donation.
Sen Constable Bull said the screws were easily fitted using a flathead screwdriver, but could only be removed by going back to a stockist and getting them to do it.
He also urged anyone who noticed their number plates missing to immediately call police.
“Do it sooner rather than later to prevent any link back to other crimes,” he said.
For any advice or information on number plates, phone Sen Constable Bull on 5820 5777.