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New police team to crack down on illegal number plates across England
The new team will use intelligence and detection technology to catch offenders and disrupt organised crime, officials said, as illegal plates help evade penalties.
The Department for Transport is funding a new police team, the National Roads Policing Coordination Centre, to crack down on illegal number plates across England, targeting organized crime groups and drivers evading traffic fines.
Criminals utilize cloned, missing, or transparent 'Ghost plates' to remain undetected while transporting illegal goods or avoiding penalties for speeding and parking infractions.
Officers will deploy shared data and innovative technology, including specialized goggles designed to detect unreadable plates, enabling police forces to identify offenders and disrupt illegal supply chains more efficiently.
Policing and Crime Minister Sarah Jones stated that illegal plates are "not a victimless offence," and drivers with incorrectly displayed or missing plates face fines of up to £1,000.
Operating under the government's Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade, this initiative aims to save thousands of lives, with Chief Superintendent Marc Clothier emphasizing the mission tackles the biggest risks to road safety.