Number plate lie results in serious crime conviction
The conviction of a man from Keighley in West Yorkshire has demonstrated the dangers involved in any kind of deception involving number plates.
Ayaan Rafiq was caught speeding while driving in Shipley in May 2023. Mr Rafiq told the police that the number plates had been stolen from his car. The police subsequently cancelled the Notice of Intended Prosecution that had been issued to Mr Rafiq.
Rather than learning a lesson and reducing the speed of his driving, Mr Rafiq decided to try the same dodge when he was, once again, caught exceeding the speed limit, this time on the M1 motorway. Two months later, he made the same excuse when he was caught speeding on the M1.
Police examined mobile phone network data which showed that Mr Rafiq’s phone had been in his car at the times and locations where the speeding offences took place. Mr Rafiq was charged with perverting the course of justice and making a false report to the police. He entered a guilty plea at Bradford Crown Court on Monday, March 23, and was sentenced to a total of 20 months in prison. He also received a 22-month driving disqualification.
The conviction was Mr Rafiq's second for this kind of offence. In 2024, he was given a suspended sentence for trying to evade speeding penalties.
West Midlands Police seize vehicles with illegal number plates
West Midlands Police neighbourhood teams in Walsall seized a number of vehicles for having illegal number plates and/or having no insurance.
In the town centre, two vehicles were seized for having no insurance or tax. The first vehicle, which was uninsured, was confiscated after a tip-off from a member of the public. The second was seized by officers carrying out patrols.
Police also seized a vehicle after they stopped it for displaying an illegal number plate. Subsequent checks revealed that the vehicle was uninsured and that the driver did not have a current driving licence. Police said that the driver will be prosecuted.
Potteries Police warn about number plate theft
Police have warned drivers in Stoke-on-Trent that thieves have been stealing number plates from cars in the city. Following the theft of number plates from a number of vehicles, police said that Ford Focus and Vauxhall Vectra models appear to be particular targets for the criminals.
Motorists are advised to take precautions against plate crime by replacing standard number plate screws with anti-tamper screws (available online or from automotive accessory retailers) and strong adhesive pads.
PCSO Jane Lawlor, speaking for Stoke-on-Trent South Local Policing Team, said, "There has been a recent upsurge in the theft of number plates in the Stoke-on-Trent area, particularly involving the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Vectra models of car. Should your number plate be stolen, or if you know of anyone who has had a number plate stolen, please report it directly to Staffordshire Police."
False plates fail to prevent prosecution of Audi owner
Officers from Suffolk police seized a black Audi A5 in Haverhill after they became suspicious and checked the vehicle's number plates and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). A computer check revealed that the registration number displayed on the Audi in fact belonged to a completely different vehicle and that the plates on the Audi were faked.
Officers seized the car, and a Notice of Intended Prosecution was sent to the correct registered owner.
Government confirms it is considering new number plate rules
Transport Minister Simon Lightwood has told the House of Commons that the Government is reviewing several aspects of UK vehicle registration plates, including the registered number plate supplier scheme, and a possible new British standard for number plates.
Speaking in the House on 23 April, Mr Lightwood said that ministers are "exploring how technology can identify illegal plates more effectively".
As Regtransfers has previously reported, a parliamentary report has fuelled growing concern about the problems of cloned number plates, so-called "ghost" plates that defeat traffic enforcement cameras, and the apparent ease with which criminals obtain illegal plates.
During discussion in the Commons, attacks were aimed at the performance of DVLA in general, with references made to various delays, backlogs and a lack of reform of the agency and its procedures.
