Operation Boltdown

 

200 Hornsby Shire vehicles are now immune to number plate theft and the PCYC Drop-Iin Centre is $351 closer to completing  renovations thanks to Operation Boltdown.

Last Saturday the inaugural Operation Boltdown was initiated on the rooftop car park of Westfield Hornsby.

This operation involving the replacement of number plate screws for the anti theft one way screws was an overwhelming success thanks to the partnership of Hornsby & District Chamber of Commerce, Westfield Hornsby and Hornsby Police.

For the nominal fee of a gold coin donation (the retail cost is $8 per set) over 200 vehicle owners took advantage of this community service to secure their number plate.

The importance of this service has been highlighted through the recent spate of number plate thefts. These plates are then used to carry out illegal activities.

One of the prime activities is petrol station drive offs. Owners of the stolen plates need then to prove to the police that it's not their vehicle and they have the additional cost and inconvenience of obtaining replacement plates.

The removal of the anti theft screws can only be carried out by a special tool held by the police.  

"The outcome of our first Operation Boltdown has literally blown me away" commented Hornsby Chamber President, Greg Bepper.

"Apart from the fantastic figures of locking down number plates, the joint co-operation from the public and our community group supporters is also a first"

 

"Never before had Waitara Rotary and Hornsby Lions clubs joined forces for a common goal. It was a beautiful thing to see and hopefully there will be more of it"

Also involved in the workforce were the young members of the soon to be chartered Leo Club of Hornsby.

Proceeds from this community initiative go to help complete the renovations required for the new Drop-in Centre at the Hornsby Kuring-gai PCYC .

 The centre will be aimed primarily at young girls who are either at risk of offending or becoming victims of crime and incorporating activities that allow girls to have their own time and space away from the influence and domination of boys.  

Operation Boltdown is planned to continue  securing this Shire's vehicles on three  more occasions before the Christmas break.

The locations will include Berowra, Thornleigh and back again in Hornsby.

It is hoped that it will continue through 2009.

More information and a video of operation Boltdown can be viewed on the Hornsby Chamber website hornsbychamber.com.au