The RCMP says vehicle and licence plate thefts have been on the rise since this time last year. Residents from the Lloydminster and surrounding areas are invited to the Servus Sports Centre located on Sunday, January 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to have an anti-theft screw installed on their licence plate. Cst. Michael Hagel says that many vehicle thefts are coupled with stolen plates to prevent police suspicion.
“So they’ll take a black Honda civic and they’ll find another black Honda Civic, and they’ll take that license plate from that vehicle. So when the police officer is checking the license plate, on a quick glance it looks like the same car, and they have a clean plate to drive these stolen vehicles with,” says Hagel.
The RCMP believe these special license plate screws will help prevent vehicle thefts as they’re only supposed to be removed by a special tool. The installation of these anti-theft screws are being installed for free and are being provided through funding from Nissan Lloydminster. Cst. Hagel says the removal tool will still be available in town in case you need to change your plate.
“They key tool will also be available at all the car dealerships in town, and all the registry offices in Lloydminster as well. So you won’t have to worry about not getting your license plate off once it’s installed,” says Hagel. Members of the Lloydminster RCMP Detachment and Citizens On Patrol will be on hand serving free coffee while installing the anti-theft screws provided by Nissan Lloydminster.