Edmonton Police Service West Division officers say license plate thefts are on the rise in their area, and are offering some tips to thwart thieves.
The Edmonton Police Service is warning citizens about a 47% increase in license plate thefts in Edmonton this year. As of July 2012 there were 233 license plate thefts. That compares to 158 in 2011.
To help address the problem, information sessions are being held at Kingsway Mall over the next few weeks.
In an effort to make stealing plates more difficult, police officers are showing people how to change the screws attached to the plates. Last Thursday, three members changed screws on 60 license plates in two hours. There will be police patrolling the Kingsway mall parking lot Monday, August 13th from 2 – 5 p.m. At that time, you can get the screws on your license plates changed out.
“Aside from the inconvenience of finding your vehicle suddenly without a plate, there is the cost of replacing it,” says Sgt. Dean Dukart.
“What would be more alarming is to have an unexpected visit from police because your license plate was on a vehicle used in connection with a crime or a traffic offence.”
Dukart will be demonstrating a system by which a different type of screw head is used on each side of a license plate as a deterrent to thieves.
Comments