Police in the West Midlands are raising concerns over a growing trend of drivers using illegal number plate modifications to evade detection by speed and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. These so-called 'ghost plates' are becoming a significant issue on the region's roads.
What Are Ghost Plates?
Ghost plates are number plates that have been altered in some way, either through physical modification or by using cloned plates from other vehicles. The goal is to make the plate unreadable by cameras, allowing drivers to break traffic laws without consequences. In the case of cloned plates, innocent motorists may receive speeding tickets or prosecution notices meant for the offender.
Police Concerns and Government Action
Law enforcement officials describe the rise of ghost plates as a crisis, with more drivers adopting the trick each year. The government is now considering stricter penalties, including fines up to £1,000 and penalty points on driving licenses, to deter this practice. New technology is also being developed to better detect these illegal plates.
Ordinary motorists are often unaware that ghost plates are being used around them. Police urge drivers to report any suspicious number plates they encounter.
