A string of stolen number plates across North Brisbane has pushed police to warn drivers that a small piece of metal on the back of a car can quickly become a tool for bigger crimes. In just 24 hours, officers received seven reports of registration plates being taken from parked vehicles in suburbs stretching from Sandgate to Hamilton, raising concerns among residents already dealing with vehicle break-ins and theft across the city.
The warning was issued on May 8 by Sgt Jodie Murray through the Queensland Police Service after thefts were reported in Kedron, Hamilton, Northgate, Wilston and Sandgate.
Police said stolen registration plates are often attached to other vehicles to avoid detection during criminal activity, including fuel theft, traffic offences and the use of stolen cars. The practice can also leave innocent drivers dealing with toll notices, fines and police inquiries linked to offences they did not commit.
North Brisbane suburbs see sharp increase in plate thefts
Officers from the Gateway District Crime Prevention Unit said the recent cases appeared opportunistic, with thieves targeting vehicles parked on streets and in open areas where screws could be removed quickly.
Police are now encouraging drivers to replace standard screws with anti-theft fittings designed to make number plates harder to remove. The special one-way screws can only be taken out using equipment carried by police.
The crime prevention unit has been distributing free anti-theft screw packs to North Brisbane residents through an online request program first introduced several years ago. The packs include screws and vehicle security information aimed at reducing repeat offences.
Residents urged to rethink where vehicles are parked overnight
Police are also advising residents to use locked garages, gated driveways or off-street parking whenever possible, particularly overnight.
Vehicle-related theft has remained a concern across parts of Brisbane, with registration plates often targeted because they can be removed in less than a minute using common tools.
The Queensland Police Service North Brisbane crime prevention page states that securing plates properly can reduce the risk of stolen identifiers being used in further offences.
Authorities are asking anyone who notices suspicious behaviour around parked vehicles to report it through Policelink or anonymously through Crime Stoppers Queensland.
Community concern grows as stolen plates linked to wider offences
For many drivers, the theft of a number plate may appear minor compared with car theft, but police say the impact can spread far beyond the original crime scene.
Once stolen plates are attached to another vehicle, they can complicate investigations and create stress for vehicle owners who later receive notices connected to offences committed by someone else.
Published 12-May-2026
