Hooning thieves are constantly swapping stolen number plates as they continue to drive around the city and commit crimes.
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Alarming statistics show the number of number plates being stolen in Ballarat has surged nearly 45 per cent in the past year. Plate thefts increased from 458 in October 2014-September 2015 to 832 during the same period in 2015.
This comes in spite of increased efforts from proactive policing units and the city’s Neighbourhood Watch to increase the number of cars with one-screw number plates.
Consistently across the state a large number of all theft from vehicle offences relate to numberplates and this is also true in Ballarat. However, more of these offences still occur in Melbourne metropolitan areas.
Superintendent Andrew Allen said the surge in theft was driving the city’s crime rates and was of great concern to police.
“In Ballarat we are seeing these number plate thefts occur predominately at residential addresses where there is limited off street parking or open access driveways. It does also occur in community locations such as railway stations,” Superintendent Allen said.
“Those stolen number plates are used to commit further crimes such as petrol theft, fare evasion and burglaries.
“The flow-on effect is driving our crime rates and if we can make it as hard as possible for number plates to be stolen, we’d be making a dent in a number of crime categories.”
Local police have conducted a number of safeplate days. They also proactively target this crime by running proactive patrols at high risk areas. Local police have been working through community engagement and media over the last months and years to encourage community members to put measures in place to help prevent this often opportunistic crime.
“Unfortunately, we are still seeing a high proportion of vehicles being left unlocked,” Superintendent Allen said.
Police tips:
- Lock your car at all times – even when parking at home in the driveway or garage.
- Don’t leave valuable items such as wallets and electronic devices in full view of passers-by. Take them with you if possible.
- Park in well-lit and secure areas if possible.