Change your number plate screws urge Rutland police
The Police in Rutland have enlisted the support of seventeen garages in the county to help them tackle the problem of number plate thefts.The initiative has been launched by PCSO Di Freeman following an increase in the number of registration plates being stolen in the county. In the last year there have been 14 incidents reported to the police in Rutland. The police have bought a range of different tamper proof screws and will be charging a small fee of £1 to enable them to buy more screws however they are working with garages across the county who have kindly agreed to fit them for free.
Crimes committed following the theft of a number plate can include:
- Speeding.
- Illegal parking
- Congestion charges
- Not paying for fuel
- Disguising a stolen vehicle
Motorists
can turn up at any of the seventeen participating garages and mechanics
will fit the correct screws depending on the make and model of the
car. There are a variety of security screws making them virtually
impossible to remove.
The police have also bought a supply of screws from a company called Pro Dec who supply ‘snap caps’ which fit over the head of the screw. The Managing Director of Pro Dec, Andrew Puchy, said; “Our research shows that to avoid detection thieves need to remove number plates very quickly. Out Snap-Caps are secure and cannot be easily removed making it difficult for the thief to even know what type of security screws are being used. That obviously acts as a strong deterrent to the thief who wants to be gone quickly.”
Inspector Kam Mistry, Commander of Rutland local policing unit said; “We have had 14 incidents where vehicle registration plates have been stolen none of which had these screws fitted.
“Number plate thefts continue to be a problem nationally and have increased in recent years. This is partly due to an increase in the use of speed cameras, rise in petrol costs and charges for use of certain roads. We are really pleased to receive the support of so many of our local garages and I’d urge everyone in Rutland to go along and get their number plate screws changed because if everyone had tamper proof screws fitted to their vehicles we could eliminate the crime altogether.”
Roland Easson from Colin Easson Motors in Cottesmore is on of the garages taking part in the campaign. He said; “We understand that the theft of number plates is a problem in the area and causes untold disruption for both individuals and local businesses, we are more than happy to help motorists tackle this type of crime by supporting the police with this campaign.”
Neighbourhood Watch in Rutland are working with the police to support and promote the campaign.
Participating garages are;
The police have also bought a supply of screws from a company called Pro Dec who supply ‘snap caps’ which fit over the head of the screw. The Managing Director of Pro Dec, Andrew Puchy, said; “Our research shows that to avoid detection thieves need to remove number plates very quickly. Out Snap-Caps are secure and cannot be easily removed making it difficult for the thief to even know what type of security screws are being used. That obviously acts as a strong deterrent to the thief who wants to be gone quickly.”
Inspector Kam Mistry, Commander of Rutland local policing unit said; “We have had 14 incidents where vehicle registration plates have been stolen none of which had these screws fitted.
“Number plate thefts continue to be a problem nationally and have increased in recent years. This is partly due to an increase in the use of speed cameras, rise in petrol costs and charges for use of certain roads. We are really pleased to receive the support of so many of our local garages and I’d urge everyone in Rutland to go along and get their number plate screws changed because if everyone had tamper proof screws fitted to their vehicles we could eliminate the crime altogether.”
Roland Easson from Colin Easson Motors in Cottesmore is on of the garages taking part in the campaign. He said; “We understand that the theft of number plates is a problem in the area and causes untold disruption for both individuals and local businesses, we are more than happy to help motorists tackle this type of crime by supporting the police with this campaign.”
Neighbourhood Watch in Rutland are working with the police to support and promote the campaign.
Participating garages are;
- Morcott Tyres & Exhaust Centre, Glaston Road, Morcott
- Adams & Sons LTD. Glaston Road, Morcott
- W.H Higgins & Sons LTD. South Luffenham
- Rutland Autos, 14 Pilings Road, Oakham
- Braunston Garage, Unit 6, Station Approach, Oakham
- Oakham Tyre co Rutland LTD, Station Road, Oakham
- Tim Norton, Long Row, Oakham
- D. Underwood, 31 Pillings Road, Oakham
- Foremark Garage LTD, 9 Station Approach, Oakham
- Rutland Testing Centre, Nr 4 Long Row, Oakham
- Ashwell Motors, Oakham Road, Ashwell
- Greetham Garage, 77 Main Street, Greetham
- Colin Easson Motors, Main Street, Cottesmore
- Mill Garage,Main Street, Caldecott
- Ashwell Motors, Oakham Road, Ashwell
- Rutland Prestige Centre Ltd, Burley Road, Oakham
- Central Garage, North Street Uppingham, Rutland
