BALLARAT police say higher fuel prices have led to a recent increase in number plate thefts and petrol drive-offs.Detective Senior Constable Jeff Highthorn yesterday urged Ballarat motorists to keep an eye on their vehicle's plates following a rise in thefts in recent weeks.“We had three (sets of plates stolen) last night and we’ve noticed there’s been a bit of it going on lately,” Detective Senior Constable Highthorn said.“We even had one taken from a car inside a carport at a house.”He said plates were going missing from cars parked at home, in the street and also from public car parks.He said police believe the rise in thefts of number plates is linked to a rise in petrol prices.“We would urge people to be vigilant in relation to their number plates and report any thefts to police.”Independent petrol price commentator David Cumming said Victorians could expect even higher petrol prices in the coming weeks.“There’s been a creeping increase in the wholesale price since July 5, so I would expect to be paying close to $1.50 at the pump soon.”Motorists can prevent number plate theft by replacing standard number plate screws with one-way security screws.Ballarat Neighbourhood Watch coordinator Senior Constable Janine Walker said motorists could get their vehicles fitted with security screws for a gold coin donation later this month.“At the moment, petrol prices are going up and unfortunately that increases the theft of number plates,” she said.On Saturday July 30, members from the Ballarat Neighbourhood Watch action group will secure motorists’ plates with one-way screws as part of the regular Operation Safe Plate.The screw fittings will take place in the Bunnings underground car park in Creswick Road from 10am to 1pm.“Our best has been fitting 168 vehicles — we’re aiming to beat that record,” Senior Constable Walker said.For more information on Operation Safe Plate, call Senior Constable Janine Walker on 5336 3618.