Cars and Vehicles
October 7, 2024
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Protect Your Plates

Protect Your Plates

Secure your car by ordering your one way screws today

Number plates are the most stolen item from vehicles in Victoria. In the past year alone, more than 30,000 were taken (Crime Statistics Agency, year ending March 2026).

Stolen plates rarely stay stolen for long. They are fitted to other cars and used for ram raids, petrol theft, burglaries and hoon driving, while the fines for speeding and unpaid tolls come back to you.

This Crime Prevention Month, Neighbourhood Watch Victoria, supported by RACV, is giving away anti-theft screws to Victorians, free of charge. Tell us about your vehicle below and we will send the right screws for your number plates. If your vehicle is not yet on our list, we will send you a full set and get in touch about the sizes.


Orders are paused for now

Thank you, Victoria. The response to Protect Your Plates has been far bigger than expected, and we have received thousands of orders in a matter of days. To make sure every order is packed and posted properly, we have paused new orders while we catch up.

If you would like to fit your one-way screws sooner, your nearest Victoria Police station may have them available, and most Bunnings stores stock one-way number plate screws. Fitting takes only a few minutes with a standard screwdriver.

If you have already placed an order, there is nothing more you need to do. It is in the queue and will be posted to you as soon as possible.


Received your screws?

One-way screws can be fitted with a flathead screwdriver. Here is a guide to installing it


How to remove the plates?

Plates can be removed with the special One Way Screws Removal Tool that you can borrow from some police stations, VicRoads Centre, or some Neighbourhood Watch groups

For further information, email admin@nhw.com.au or call 03 8335 6002

Get Police Assistance

For all emergencies and immediate Police assistance
Call: 000
To report non-urgent crimes or events 24 hours a day
Call: 131 444
To report information about a crime contact Crime Stoppers on
1800 333 000

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Neighbourhood Watch Victoria acknowledges the 38 mobs, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we operate, live, and gather as employees and volunteers. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community and pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.

At Neighbourhood Watch, we believe everyone has the right to feel safe and welcome. We are committed to ensuring diversity, inclusion and equity are embedded throughout our organisation – in the work we do, the services we deliver and among our staff, volunteers, and the communities we work with.

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