Rego plate thefts on the rise

There has been a spike in the theft of car registration plates since the end of the pandemic.

Nearly 17,000 were stolen around Victoria in the 12-months to June, according to figures published in the Herald Sun.

There were almost 600 thefts across Greater Geelong.

Lara, Corio and Norlane were the main hotspots, with 80 plates pinched in Corio.

The Surf Coast municipality had 13 number plates stolen, with eight recorded in Torquay.

Police have urged drivers to use anti-theft screws to stop plates from being stolen.