How cloned and ghost number plates are leaving innocent motorists facing fines, debt collection threats and years of stress.

How cloned and ghost number plates are leaving innocent motorists facing fines, debt collection threats and years of stress.

How cloned and ghost number plates are leaving innocent motorists facing fines, debt collection threats and years of stress.

Illegal registration plates are far too easy to get hold of and are putting the public at risk, BBC is told.

Illegal registration plates are far too easy to get hold of and are putting the public at risk, BBC is told.

Illegal registration plates are far too easy to get hold of and are putting the public at risk, BBC is told.

Illegal registration plates are far too easy to get hold of and are putting the public at risk, BBC is told.

Illegal registration plates are far too easy to get hold of and are putting the public at risk, BBC is told.

Illegal registration plates are far too easy to get hold of and are putting the public at risk, BBC is told.

Illegal registration plates are far too easy to get hold of and are putting the public at risk, BBC is told.

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A BBC Panorama investigation has uncovered the widespread use of illegal 'ghost' vehicle registration plates across the UK, which are designed to evade automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems. These plates, often made with reflective materials that obscure the registration number from cameras, allow drivers to avoid speed limits, low emission zone enforcement, and criminal tracking. The investigation revealed that over 1,000 such plates are detected daily on motorways in southeast England, with some sites recording nearly 2,000 detections per day. The problem is exacerbated by the ease of obtaining these plates, with many businesses registered with the DVLA offering ghost plates without proper verification. Panorama's undercover investigation found that two out of three plate suppliers at an Essex market sold ghost plates, often without checking ID or proof of registration. The DVLA has only prosecuted two plate suppliers since 2020, despite over 34,000 registered suppliers. Victims' families, including Sharon Gannon whose son died in a crash involving a ghost plate, have spoken about the devastating impact of these illegal plates. Former government advisor Tony Porter highlighted the lack of security features on UK number plates compared to passports, stating that the system is failing to protect the public. The UK government has announced a national plan to address the issue, including a new center to share intelligence and trial technologies aimed at improving road safety and tackling organized crime. Police forces are calling for tighter licensing and regulation of number plate suppliers, with Chief Constable Tim Forber noting that cloned plates are frequently linked to serious and organized crime. The investigation also uncovered cases where drivers with illegal plates caused fatal accidents, including the death of 81-year-old Graham Slinn in 2025, killed by a driver using cloned plates who was also driving without insurance and under the influence of nitrous oxide. The minister responsible for vehicle registration, Justin Madders, acknowledged the need for a more robust system and stated that nothing is ruled out in addressing the problem. The BBC's findings underscore the urgent need for reform in the regulation of vehicle registration plates to prevent further tragedies and enhance road safety.

The region's police crime commissioner praises the success of new technology to detect illegal number plates.

New York City has lost millions of dollars thanks to ghost plates, a new way of obstructing your license plate to avoid ticketing. Michael Kosta teams up with the city’s most infamous ghost (plate) buster to expose drivers and even cops who have employed this innovative method in the newest Thank Me Later. #DailyShow #NYC #GhostPlates Subscribe to The Daily Show: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwWhs_6x42TyRM4Wstoq8HA/?sub_confirmation=1 Follow The Daily Show: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheDailyShow Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedailyshow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedailyshow Stream full episodes of The Daily Show on Paramount+: http://www.paramountplus.com/?ftag=PPM-05-10aei0b Follow Comedy Central: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ComedyCentral Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ComedyCentral Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comedycentral Watch full episodes of The Daily Show: https://www.cc.com/shows/the-daily-show About The Daily Show: Jon Stewart and The Best F**king News Team host The Daily Show, an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning program analyzing the biggest stories in news, politics, and culture through a sharp, satirical lens. The Daily Show redefined the late night show category on TV and, with an audience of over 51M across social media platforms, has become a launching pad for some of the biggest stars in entertainment. The Daily Show airs weeknights at 11/10c on Comedy Central.

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