Police and community volunteers, with the youngest volunteer being eight-years-old, fitted around 139 cars with the one-way security screws at Bunning Warehouse Fountain Gate on Saturday 31 October between 10am and 1pm as part of Operation Safe Plate.

The screwed-in plates act as a deterrent to would-be thieves who take advantage of the stolen plates to commit crimes such as toll evasion and petrol theft.

The latest figures show 9,799 number plates were stolen in the last financial year.

Inspector Jill Wood said the theft of vehicle number plates was steadily increasing, due to the rise of petrol prices.

For details visit www.communitysafetymonth.com.au