Lock down car plates

WITH licence plate theft rife, Queensland Police are offering to fit free anti-theft screws on to vehicles.

The event will take place at Westfield Helensvale on October 20 and anyone is welcome to take up the offer for free.

Offenders use stolen plates to avoid identification when committing serious offences such as petrol thefts, drug trafficking and burglary.

Volunteers from the Willowvale Neighbourhood Watch and police will be on hand on the day to help locals protect themselves and avoid the inconvenience and cost of replacing numberplates by securing numberplates with oneway, anti-theft screws.