The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) and the Victorian Police will be thwarting number plate thieves’ plans on Sunday, 22 October with Operation Safeplate at the Docklands Community Safety Day.

VACC Division Manager, Terry Conroy, said the jointly run Operation Safeplate was designed for motorists to swap their generic number plate screws for theft proof “one-way” screws.

“This is a marvellous opportunity for motorists to have their numberplates secured at no cost,” Mr Conroy said.

“Number plate theft is annoying and utterly inconvenient when it happens to you and VACC recommends vehicle owners get a step ahead of the thieves and prevent it altogether.

“This community project comes as a result of a massive 31.6 percent increase in number plate thefts and a 42 percent increase in petrol station drive-offs this year, according to Victorian Police figures.

“More than 50% of the petrol theft in this State involve stolen numberplates,” he said.

Mr Conroy said when both of a car’s numberplates are stolen its registration number is cancelled and a new number issued.

“The impact of this on your every-day driver, or particularly those with personalised number plates, can be traumatic,” he said.

Mr Conroy said VACC was supplying the screws on the day for Operation Safeplate.

Motorists would be encouraged to get down to the Operation Safeplate display on Sunday, 22 October, or ask for their numberplates’ screws to be swapped when they take their car to a VACC member when they have their 5-Point Safety Check.