Fraudulent Use of Number Plates
Criminals sometimes have number plates made up for a vehicle of identical type and colour, and use them on their own vehicles to commit crimes. This is known as "cloning" and avoids the vehicle being traced, while still appearing legitimate to a cursory police computer check. The UK Government introduced on 1 August 2008 regulations requiring the production of personal identification and vehicle registration documents when buying replacement plates from a retailer.
It is also a requirement that the organisation who made up the plate show their name and postcode on the plate to aid tracing of the production of false plates and of the individual who purchased the plate. This is normally shown in the centre at the bottom of the plate. This was introduced in 2001 when the new character style and two digit year identifier came into force, but applies to all registration plates made up after that date regardless of the year of the vehicle.
Cloned and stolen registration plates can be used to avoid fines for speeding, parking and congestion charge offences, and for the theft of petrol.
Read more about this topic: Vehicle Registration Plates Of The United Kingdom, Crown Dependencies And Overseas Territories
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