| Media item | |
| | Plate theft numbers on the rise | Sunraysia Daily,
Mildura
by Alistair Finlay
| 11 May 2024 | | General News - Page 12 - 243 words - ID 2069579710 - Photo: No - Type: News Item - Size: 136.00cm2 | |
THE RACV and Neighbourhood Watch are teaming up to tackle number plate theft following a spike in the crime in Victoria.
For the 12 months to the end of March, slightly less than 18,500 number plates were stolen across the state, up 23 per cent from the 15,000 taken the year before.
Even though theft of number plates might seem minor, Neighbourhood Watch Victoria CEO Bambi Gordon said it can have flow-on effects.
"It can have very serious ramifications for motorists, including the potential involvement in identity theft and criminal activities," she said.
Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce data showed more than 50 per cent of fuel theft as well as other crimes included stolen number plates.
Despite the top three locations for number plate theft being all metro Melbourne local government areas, Ms Gordon said the issue was prevalent statewide.
"No matter where you live or how you use your vehicle, you can be susceptible," said said. "It's really important for everyone who owns a vehicle to take preventative measures to safeguard their number plates." A joint statement from the RACV and Neighbourhood Watch said if your plates are stolen to report it immediately, and offered a number of tips to limit the chance of theft. They include using anti-theft screws and other preventative devices like locking plate frames as well as parking in well lit areas, and seeking securing camera footage if available if your plates are stolen.
Alistair Finlay
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