The Hunter Valley Police District (HVPD) is warning everyone that number plates are being stolen across the region. 

There has been an increase in reports to police of offences relating to steal from motor vehicles where number plates have been stolen from vehicles mostly in residential streets and home driveways. 

"It seems to be spiking in the Upper Hunter and down through the Hunter Valley at the moment," said HVPD Commander Superintendent Chad Gillies.

"Where you can secure your vehicle from most things, you can't really secure it too well for number plates so what we're finding is number plates are being stolen, they're being used in other types of offences, or even hoarded for future use for potential criminal activity."

Some reports are from people who have not locked their vehicles and their wallets and credit cards were also stolen. Stolen credit cards lead to Paywave offences when the offenders go on a shopping spree.

Police are urging everyone to take property out of the car you don't want to see stolen and lock the car, even if it's in the driveway.

Stolen number plates are a huge inconvenience for car owners as well, having to report it and then go and get new plates and go through that process.

"What I would encourage everyone to do is to pop down to their local hardware or auto shop and look at purchasing some anti-theft screws as a deterrent, to better protect your vehicle if they're parked out on the street at night or in your driveway and they are being targeted at the moment," said Superintendent Gillies.

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