12/07/2025
ONE NUMBERPLATE STOLEN EVERY 17 MINUTES IN VICTORIA AS NUMBERPLATE THEFT HITS RECORD HIGHS
By: Editorial Team
Date: 12/7/2025
Numberplate thefts have surged to record levels across Victoria, with nearly 30,000 plates reported stolen in the past year, equaling one theft every 17 minutes.
According to Victoria Police, the state has seen a 50% increase, with numberplate theft now making up more than a third of all items stolen from vehicles.
Police have warned that stolen plates aren’t just a nuisance for drivers but rather they’re a tool for criminals.
“Number plate theft is often at the centre of more serious offending,” said Acting Sergeant Sam Romano from Keilor Downs Police.
Offenders who steal the plates, do so to hide the identity of a vehicle when committing crimes like burglaries, ram raids, petrol drive-offs, and to evade police.
Just last month, a stolen Toyota Landcruiser, allegedly bearing stolen numberplates, was driven through a shopping centre in Preston.
Police also believe stolen and cloned plates are being used in connection with several arson attacks on to***co shops, which are under investigation by the Lunar Taskforce.
The latest figures from the Crime Statistics Agency show the five worst-hit areas for numberplate theft in the year to March 2025 are Casey (2,139 thefts), Hume (1,966), Greater Dandenong (1,581), Wyndham (1,449), and Brimbank (1,414).
In Brimbank alone, thefts rose by 40% over the past year.
Police are now using Automatic Numberplate Recognition (ANPR) technology to tackle the rise in offending, allowing officers to scan vehicles plates in real time and flags any that are stolen or fake.
A recent operation in Brimbank saw six stolen plates seized using the system.
“We have more capabilities than ever to detect stolen numberplates on our roads,” Romano said.
“So we’d strongly encourage those thinking of using them to hide their vehicle to think again.”
In response to the surge, Brimbank police will host a Safe Plate Day this weekend, offering free anti-theft screws for vehicles.
The events will be held at Bunnings Sunshine on Saturday 12 July and Bunnings Taylors Lakes on Sunday 13 July, both from 10am to 2pm.
Officers will assist with installation and speak to locals about theft prevention.
“These events are a simple but effective way for the community to protect themselves,” Romano said. “Installing a simple measure such as an anti-theft screw can be the difference between having your numberplate stolen or not.”
Anti-theft screws are also available at most hardware stores, auto parts retailers, and petrol stations.
Police are urging all vehicle owners to fit them, and to blur out their plates when posting car images online or selling a vehicle, to reduce the risk of cloning.
Anyone who has been a victim of numberplate theft or suspects cloning activity is urged to call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.
