Theft of Number Plates & Prevention
Published: 17 February 2025
Theft of number plates is an all to frequent occurrence. Stolen number plates will often be used to facilitate a wide range of further criminal activity, including Theft & Traffic Offences. If you notice your number plates have been stolen, please report this to Police as soon as possible. In doing so, this allows us the greatest opportunity to detect, disrupt and prevent further Offences from occurring. In some cases the stolen number plates are used only for a short period of time, such as in a ‘Bilking’ (the non-payment of fuel at a petrol station). In other cases, they may be used on a 'cloned’ vehicle. This is where the number plates are used on a vehicle of the same make, model and colour, in order to hide it's true identity. In addition to being aware of the issue, and reporting to Police quickly. You can help reduce the risk of your number plates being stolen by: Parking in well-lit areas, Parking in view of CCTVReducing accessibility to at least one plate, such as parking up close to an wall.Utilising secure parking where available, ideally garages / behind gates.Using anti-theft plates / tamper proof screws. |
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 | Message Sent By Matt Eldridge (Police, Ns, South and Vale) |
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