Thousands of British drivers are discovering they've become victims of vehicle crime only when unexpected police letters and speeding tickets arrive at their homes.
The Hidden Crime Wave
Number plate cloning has emerged as a growing concern for police forces across the country, with incidents increasing by 41% last year according to motoring experts. The crime involves criminals copying legitimate registration numbers onto their own vehicles, making them effectively invisible to speed cameras and ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) systems.
Mike Thompson, chief operating officer at Leasing Options, explains the shocking reality for victims: "Usually, victims of number plate cloning don't know their number plate has been duplicated until they receive a ticket or fine for an offence that they didn't commit."
Innocent Drivers Facing Consequences
The consequences for ordinary motorists are both baffling and stressful. People report receiving speeding tickets for roads in towns and cities hundreds of miles away that they have never visited. The burden then falls on them to prove their innocence to avoid paying fines they didn't incur.
This criminal activity doesn't just enable minor motoring offences. Police and politicians warn that cloned plates are being used to facilitate more serious crimes while allowing perpetrators to move around undetected, creating what some describe as a "crisis" on Britain's roads.
Protecting Your Vehicle from Cloning
While there's no guaranteed way to prevent number plate cloning entirely, experts recommend several practical precautions to minimise the risk:
- Avoid posting pictures of your vehicle online, or ensure the number plate is covered or blurred
- Park in well-lit areas or security-protected car parks
- Use anti-theft screws and number plate protectors
Thompson emphasises the social media risk: "Many criminals use social media to scope out their next target, so ensuring you don't post your vehicle on the internet or social media is a great way to remove yourself from being a target."
For those who discover their plates have been cloned, the advice is clear: report it to the police immediately and gather any evidence that proves your vehicle was elsewhere when the offences occurred.
