Orana Local Area Command (LAC) police joined forces with Bunnings Warehouse and the Dubbo Community Men's Shed to fit people's number plates with anti-tamper screws, and to engrave light bars.

"We're just providing a free service to the community in relation to having light bars engraved with licence numbers or with their vehicle registration, and we're also offering to fit anti-tamper screws to prevent number plates from being stolen," Orana LAC Inspector Dan Skelly said.

"The theft of light bars has been pretty constant over the last six months and the theft of number plates is quite serious as stolen number plates are often used in the stealing of petrol and other robbery offences.

"The theft of a number plate is pretty concerning. A number plate can be used in some pretty serious offences."

Inspector Skelly said local police officers have duty to enforce the law, but also to keep people safe.

"We're trying to send a message to the crooks that we are here, we're looking for them and we'll stop them," Inspector Skelly said.