British drivers are being urged to secure their number plates with tamper-resistant screws after thefts more than doubled in four years, according to figures from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
Sharp Rise in Thefts
Data obtained by Churchill Motor Insurance reveals that 7,381 incidents of stolen plates were recorded in the UK last year, a 30 per cent increase from 5,683 during the previous 12 months. This is more than double the 3,376 thefts seen in 2021. The problem extends to number plate cloning, which also saw a 53 per cent rise over the same period, from 7,430 incidents in 2021 to 11,394 last year.
How Criminals Exploit Stolen Plates
Criminals steal or clone number plates to accumulate traffic or parking fines that are sent to the owner of the original vehicle, or to evade detection by police cameras, facilitating further criminal activity. While 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.
Kevin Mead, head of Churchill Motor Insurance, said: “It’s concerning to see that reports of stolen and cloned 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.”
Ghost Plates and Regulatory Concerns
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 that 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 that many suppliers have not registered with the DVLA, as is mandated by law, and are not following its requirements.
