A joint initiative between the police and Neighbourhood Support aims to beat thieves at their own game by making it harder to steal number plates.
Safer Plates is an operation that has been held throughout the country which sees special secure stainless steel screws sold to the public for $1 each.
The screws make it difficult for thieves to remove number plates from cars.
Rotorua police area prevention manager Inspector Stuart Nightingale said owners of vehicles and trailers were welcome to meet with police and Neighbourhood Support to buy the screws at the cheap price and learn more about crime prevention strategies.
Mr Nightingale said thieves often stole number plates to put on their own vehicles to avoid identification while committing crimes such as petrol drive-offs and other dishonesty offences.