Operation SAFE PL8 is back in town, with police encouraging drivers across Melton and Brimbank to ensure their car’s number plates are safe from thieves.
The operation encourages drivers to have their plates secured with special one-way screws that can be removed only with a special tool.
Police will fix the plates themselves at the Masters store in Burnside between 10am and 2pm on Saturday, March 28.
All it will cost drivers is a gold coin donation.
Crime prevention officer Leading Constable Matt Mudie said the biggest crime in the area was theft from motor vehicles, which included the theft of number plates.
He said operations like SAFE PL8 were vital in reducing crime.
“Plates are stolen for a reason and that’s to commit further crime,” Leading Constable Mudie said.
He said it took only seconds for thieves to unscrew regular screws from number plates, but plates fitted with the one-way screws could not be removed.
He said theft of plates had a ripple effect, with one offence turning into a numbers of different offences.
He said police would keep pushing drivers to have their plates secured and he encouraged all motorists to make the most of the opportunity at Masters on Saturday.
All funds raised will be donated to Whitelion, a non-profit organisation supporting vulnerable youth.
