Operation Safe Plate, to be held in Ringwood on March 20, will give residents an opportunity to have security screws installed on their vehicle's registration plates for a gold coin donation.

Maroondah crime prevention officer Leading Senior Constable Robert King said the operation was aimed at deterring thieves from stealing plates that they then used to steal petrol and evade freeway tolls and road safety cameras.

"In the last financial year, more than 9500 vehicles in Victoria had either one or both registration plates stolen from vehicles in car parks, streets and also private driveways."

During Operation Safe Plate, standard registration plate screws are replaced with one-way security screws to deter thieves from stealing the plates.

A special tool is required to remove the security screws.

Operation Safe Plate is from 10am on March 20 at Eastland Shopping Centre, outside Centre Plaza Way, Maroondah Highway, Ringwood. It will also include family-fun events, activities, information and giveaways.