Drivers are being urged to use tamper-resistant screws in response to thefts more than doubling in four years. Churchill Motor Insurance issued the plea after obtaining Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) figures showing 7,381 incidents of stolen plates were recorded in the UK last year.
That is up 30% from 5,683 during the previous 12 months and is more than two times the total of 3,376 in 2021. There has also been a 53% increase in number plate cloning over the same period, from 7,430 incidents in 2021 to 11,394 last year.
Stealing or cloning a number plate enables the offender to accumulate traffic or parking fines that are sent to the owner of the original vehicle. It is also done to evade detection by police cameras, facilitating criminal activity. Whereas plate thefts are usually noticed quickly, victims of cloning may only realise what has happened when traffic or parking fines start arriving in the post.
Potential Fines for Victims
Kevin Mead, head of Churchill Motor Insurance, said: "It's concerning to see that reports of stolen and cloned number plates are increasing so rapidly. It's a worrying trend that continues to cause significant stress and disruption for innocent drivers who are left dealing with months of inconvenience as they try to challenge penalties and clear their name."
"Using tamper-resistant screws for number plates can help reduce the risk, but if a plate is stolen or suspected to be cloned, swift action is essential. Drivers should report it immediately to the police, inform the DVLA and alert their insurer to help limit further impact."
Rise of Ghost Number Plates
Police forces have also recorded a rise in the use of ghost number plates, which have a reflective coating that prevents them from being read by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras. The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Transport Safety published a report in December last year warning that widespread misuse of vehicle number plates is putting road users at risk and threatens national security.
It cited research claiming as many as one in 15 vehicles may carry plates designed to evade detection by ANPR cameras. The British Number Plate Manufacturers Association, which represents companies producing the vast majority of plates in the UK, has called for tougher regulation of the sector.
It warned many suppliers have not registered with the DVLA – as is mandated by law – and are not following its requirements.
