Police foil plate perpetrators’ plans

Sick of seeing “bad eggs” taking number plates, Hamilton Police have teamed up with Community Patrols of New Zealand for a safer plates event this Saturday.

The event, to be held at the New World Rototuna car park from 10am-2pm is a chance for the public to come and have their number plates screwed on with tamper-deterrent screws.

These screws require a particular type of screwdriver, making removal near impossible for plate snatchers.

It costs $5 for the team to install the two screws.

Senior Constable Craig Berquist said they had great success at their plates event last year, and are hoping hundreds will come to the event. 

“It’s about removing the opportunity, making it harder for the criminal to steal the plates,” said Berquist.

He also hopes the event will encourage people to join neighbourhood patrol groups.

“We’re all doing our bit to reduce crime in our community… If you’ve got these plates that are harder to get off, they’re going to go elsewhere aren’t they, and if we’re all doing our bit to reduce crime in Hamilton, Hamilton will be a lot safer.”

The event is supported by Rototuna New World who provide a part of their car park, as well as a sausage sizzle.

All proceeds from the event will go to Blue light and Community Patrol Hamilton for a patrol car upgrade.

“They’re out driving around at night time, when we’re all in bed, volunteering their hours to help keep our community safe,” Berquist said.

The previous two events were held at the Z Service Station at Five Cross Roads, but was moved as the event was too successful and struggled for room. 

Community Patrol’s Ryan Whittaker said they changed about 50 car number plates at the Z events, but moving it last year saw that increase to 140.

“Based on the success of this event, I’m hoping that we’ll need a larger location again next time,” Whittaker said.

Plates are often stolen by criminals who commit offences such as gas station robberies.

All going well, Berquist said they hope to hold another event closer to Christmas, potentially at a different venue.

“It’s a great opportunity to get in there and build relationships with our communities as well.”