Casey and Greater Dandenong have been identified as Victoria's epicentre for number plate thefts.
According to the latest crime data, Casey has the unenviable title of the worst in the state, with just shy of 2000 reports made to police (1987) in the twelve months to September 2024.
Hume ranks second (1408), followed closely by Greater Dandenong (1374), with Wyndham (1121) and Brimbank (1110) rounding out the top five hardest hit in the state.
More than half of all thefts from vehicles across Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia relate to stolen licence plates.
Only 22% of stolen registration plates are recovered.
Police regularly see offenders using stolen plates to aid further offending, including burglaries, petrol drive offs, drive by shootings, arsons and even homicides.
Local hotspots where vehicles are being targeted include areas in a 500m radius of:
• Attenborough Street and Cheltenham Road, Dandenong
• Kidds Road and Power Road, Doveton
• Cranbourne Park Shopping Centre
• Fountain Gate Shopping Centre
• McGregor Road and Main Street, Pakenham
Police across Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia are determined to hold offenders to account, with several arrests in recent months:
• A set of number plates were allegedly taken from a vehicle in Eumemmerring in July last year and were placed on a different vehicle that was used in several petrol drive offs. A week later, the vehicle was involved in a serious collision in Somerville. Once the driver - a 26-year-old man from Rosebud - was released from hospital, he was charged with theft of number plates, handle stolen goods, and petrol theft.
• In January this year, a 41-year-old Pakenham man was arrested following an alleged suspect loiter incident in Beaconsfield. He was also allegedly found in possession of drugs. Following enquiries, it will be alleged his fingerprints linked him to three thefts of number plates. He was charged and bailed.
• In December last year, a 21-year-old woman from Beaconsfield was arrested over a spate of alleged car thefts and thefts from cars, as well as handling stolen goods in the Beaconsfield, Officer and Pakenham areas. It will be alleged she stole parcels in the lead up to Christmas. In February this year, she is accused of committing 22 offences, including aggravated burglary, car theft, and twelve counts of handling stolen goods, including number plates. She was released on intent to summons.
To help reduce the likelihood of having number plates stolen, residents are encouraged to place their cars in garages where possible, and to use anti-theft screws.
They can be purchased from hardware stores, automotive parts stores and petrol stations for just a few dollars, or locals can take advantage of free anti-theft screws available at every police station across Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia.
The screws are an easy way to deter thieves; they are really difficult to remove in a hurry and while they can be removed with brute force, it often damages the plate and renders it unusable.
Quotes attributable to Casey Local Area Commander Inspector Stu Richards:
"Stolen number plates are attached to other vehicles - many of which are stolen - to help offenders fly under the radar and commit further crimes including aggravated burglaries, arson attacks, drug trafficking and petrol drive-offs.
"Parking in a secure area such a garage would be ideal scenario, however, we understand that not every resident or visitor to the area is able to do so.
"Having to replace your plates is not only an inconvenience, it's also costly. Especially if you keep receiving tolls or fines once they're in the hands of criminals.
"That's why we encourage vehicle owners to use anti-theft screws to deter thieves in the first instance. These screws are available free-of-charge at your local police station.
"Police across the area also regularly conduct Safe Plate days in partnership with Casey Neighbourhood Watch, to provide information to residents on safeguarding their numberplates, and we're working with local shopping centres, hospitals and caryards to help improve vehicle security."
