Regtransfers, the UK's largest private number plates dealer has answered questions from the BBC about the controversial sale of a valuable police asset.
In early August 2017, West Mercia Police and John Campion, West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner, sold the vehicle registration number AB 1, to former Chief Constable Paul West.
AB 1, previously owned by West Mercia Police and displayed on chief constables' cars for some years, was retired from use in 2011 due to "safety concerns". 2011 was when Paul West retired, and he was the last chief constable to display AB 1 on his car.
Mr Campion said that, as there was no prospect of the number being used again, he decided to sell it to raise money "towards policing our communities and keeping people safe."
AB 1 was entered into an auction at auctioneers Brightwells but was withdrawn before the sale took place and sold privately to Mr West.
During an interview with BBC Hereford and Worcester, Regtransfers's marketing manager, Angela Banh, expressed surprise at the withdrawal of AB 1 from auction and at the £160,000 sum reportedly paid by Mr West.
Ms Banh said, "It is really one of the top registrations in the country. If we were to value it we would probably put a valuation of somewhere around the £175,000 mark. But if it went for [auction
