Drivers urged to make number plate changes and 'inform DVLA' amid rising fears

TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Criminals have started targeting number plates to cover their own plates, allowing them to avoid parking, speeding and Clean Air Zone fines.When these fines build up, they are sent to the original plate holder, often leading to local authorities losing out on crucial revenue.This is especially prevalent with plate cloning, as victims will not know it has taken place until they start receiving fines.Cases have become more common, including instances where drivers are fined for breaking rules in a city they have never travelled to.This includes Ruth Costello, from West Sussex, who received 19 fines from Birmingham's Clean Air Zone, despite never driving her car there.She described it as a head-banging frustration, adding that she was considering buying new plates for her own vehicle to avoid the same thing from happening again.Kevin Mead, head of Churchill Motor Insurance, said: It's concerning to see that reports of stolen and cloned number plates are increasing so rapidly.It's a worrying trend that continues to cause significant stress and disruption for innocent drivers who are left dealing with months of inconvenience as they try to challenge penalties and clear their name.LATEST DEVELOPMENTSHMRC VAT rate changes could see petrol and diesel drivers pay 'unnecessary' costsDriving licences to be stripped from motorists as Labour launches fresh crackdown on fly-tippersMajor car brands face 'unavoidable trade-off' as hackers target millions of vehicles, ex-FBI cyber chief warnsHe suggested that drivers use tamper-resistant screws for number plates to reduce the possibility of being targeted by criminals.Drivers can buy tamper-resistant screws from most trade stores, with many of them being recommended by tradespeople.Mr Mead also urged drivers to report that their plate has been stolen or suspected to be cloned, noting that swift action is essential.Drivers should report it immediately to the police, inform the DVLA and alert their insurer to help limit further impact, the expert said.Research cited by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Transport Safety claimed that as many as one in 15 vehicles may carry plates designed to evade detection by ANPR cameras.Other experts and motoring groups, including the British Number Plate Manufacturers Association, have called for tougher regulation of the industry.Potential reforms include slashing the number of registered dealers of number plates, as well as requiring stricter regulations before a plate can be sold.A report from the APPG found that many suppliers of number plates were still operating despite not being registered with the DVLA. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter