Don’t fall victim to number plate theft and car cloning
In the last five years there have been over 40,000 cases of number plate theft in the UK according to a study by the AA. Yet a lot more cases go unreported. Why? It is mainly because people do not panic immediately if they see a missing number plate. Well, that is until the parking fines and speeding fines start landing on the doormat.
Number plates are stolen for a number of reasons, but mainly because they can be used to change the identity of a stolen car or to disguise cars that will be used for criminal activity.
Luckily, there are a number of ways you can protect yourself against number plate theft and car cloning.
New number plates
Several plate manufacturers along with the DVLA have developed a standard for theft resistant number plates. It can take up to three minutes for these plates to be removed, which although may not seem like a long time, in that three minutes they could be caught red-handed trying to steal yours.
Anti-theft screws
Many local police forces now have anti-theft screws that are being distributed in the area to help prevent number plate theft. Ask your local police authority if this is running near you.
What else can you do?
Aside from having anti-theft number plates or screws there are other things you can do, such as: parking in a garage or a public safe car park, and if you have to park on the main road park in a well-lit area.
However if you do notice that your number plate is missing, contact the police immediately, on the non-emergency 101 number. You may not see it as a cause for concern but you could find yourself facing criminal charges that you have had no part in.
Number plates are stolen for a number of reasons, but mainly because they can be used to change the identity of a stolen car or to disguise cars that will be used for criminal activity.
Luckily, there are a number of ways you can protect yourself against number plate theft and car cloning.
New number plates
Several plate manufacturers along with the DVLA have developed a standard for theft resistant number plates. It can take up to three minutes for these plates to be removed, which although may not seem like a long time, in that three minutes they could be caught red-handed trying to steal yours.
Anti-theft screws
Many local police forces now have anti-theft screws that are being distributed in the area to help prevent number plate theft. Ask your local police authority if this is running near you.
What else can you do?
Aside from having anti-theft number plates or screws there are other things you can do, such as: parking in a garage or a public safe car park, and if you have to park on the main road park in a well-lit area.
However if you do notice that your number plate is missing, contact the police immediately, on the non-emergency 101 number. You may not see it as a cause for concern but you could find yourself facing criminal charges that you have had no part in.
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