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Blitz on illegal number plates
10:38am Monday 28th January 2008
POLICE in North Yorkshire are taking part in a nationwide crackdown on illegal number plates this week.
The operation, which forms part of the force's ongoing road safety operation, Operation Helical 2, is in response to growing concerns about the increasing number of motorists using unlawful registration plates in a bid to out fox road-side cameras.
The operation, which starts today and will continue for seven days, aims to stop criminals who are believed to be using the illegal registration plates to avoid being caught by police.
Registration lettering and spacing must comply with regulations which specify the typeface, size, colour and British Standard for plates.
It is an offence to alter or re-arrange letters or numbers in a way that makes the plate difficult to read.
Inspector Chris Charlton, head of the roads policing unit at North Yorkshire Police, said: "A vehicle is often an integral part of a criminal's toolkit and often the registration plate will be tampered with in an attempt to avoid detection.
"Illegal alterations range from changes to plate layout, use of non-standard fonts, the use of tape, screws and other objects to obscure plates to more sophisticated methods such as stolen or cloned number plates.
"This operation aims to crack down on travelling criminals, denying them the use of the roads, as well as providing a more detailed picture of the link between this type of offence and broader criminal activity."
The law states that motorists must not alter, rearrange or misrepresent the letters or numbers, and characters must not be moved from one group to the other - for example, A242 ABC must not be displayed as A242A BC.
Offences may result in a fine of up to £1,000, the registration mark being withdrawn without compensation and the offending vehicle failing its MOT test.
Number plates must also be replaced if they have been customised with stylised letters or figures such as italics, or number plate fixing bolts that alter the appearance of the characters.
Police believe criminals are using this technique to stop their vehicles from being picked up by speed cameras or their effective Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system.
The Press reported last week how police in the county are extending the ANPR scheme after it lead to the arrest of 205 people arrested and more than £1.25million worth of property seized in one year. Work has begun on a £150,000 scheme to implement three new fixed sites, in addition to the four existing ones.
Results for operation Helical so far include:
* 5,046 vehicles have been stopped by police* 825 fixed penalty tickets have been handed out for speeding * 120 summons issued for speeding of which 33 were fast-tracked to court * 616 warnings issued for excessive speed * 288 fixed penalty tickets issued for seatbelt offences
Your Say YourPress
Greg, York says...
10:48am Mon 28 Jan 08
Some are very OTT as most people say and some are ok, but they are mainly cracking down on them so that their speed cameras can identify speeding motorists so they can get a fine. Which is good and bad I guess.
oli4uk, York says...
10:52am Mon 28 Jan 08
My flatmate got off easy with a mirror knocked near off.
Good Job.
But please start chasing the chav scrote vandals and get them to pay for teh thousands of pounds worth of damage caused last night.
akuma, York says...
10:54am Mon 28 Jan 08
To be honest its more Audi TT's, BMW's and other posers cars that have the illegal number plates.
The younger crowd have a hard enough time not being pulled over without attrating more attention to themselves by having daft plates.
As I said the other week, I was sat behind a T5 police cruiser, in front of that was a TT that had clearly illegal plates on.
I had a quick chuckle to myself thinking "he's screwed" but nothing happened, the coppers in the T5 weren't bothered.
I hope they are objective with this PR stunt and get everyone and not just younger people in less expensive cars.
A user, Selby says...
11:12am Mon 28 Jan 08
X, At Work says...
11:29am Mon 28 Jan 08
You can buy plates online that reflect the flash from a speed camera and leave the plate blank.
When a police car is following you they cannot tell the difference.
I agree with Akuma that it is mainly the posers that alter the plates, not boy racers.
Saying that for those of you who have seen the BMW driving round with OPT1C he hasn't had it spaced properly, but the plates probably worth thousands, so's the car so he can afford the fine.
LEAM DAVE, leamington spa says...
11:43am Mon 28 Jan 08
root-two, York says...
11:43am Mon 28 Jan 08
Saying that for those of you who have seen the BMW driving round with OPT1C he hasn't had it spaced properly, but the plates probably worth thousands, so's the car so he can afford the fine.
He's probably driving a car without a valid MOT then since even if the typeface of the plate is correct, incorrect spacing is a failure - in fact, according to the MOT guidelines, any number place which has the potential to be mis-read can be failed at the tester's discretion.
Wonder if the plod will be following up with the DVLA ...
peter k, york says...
11:44am Mon 28 Jan 08
(please note it is still very easy to read clearly and not italic etc)
The reason for this is that it is an imported car and doesnt have the space given for a UK size plate to be fitted to the front as are many others in the area.
However EVERY time i get stopped i explain that it IS a legal number plate and have to stand there for 10 mins arguing that point.
They should ACTUALLY KNOW the law if they are trying to enforce it. The last guy had me there for almost 30 mins before calling it in and getting the current LAW's explained to him.
Once he had been told that he was wrong he soon changed his tone, but offered no apology for stopping me for so long etc and his mistake.
Just told me to get lost instead.
TO ANYONE WITH AN IMPORT CAR LIKE MINE PLEASE PAY SPECIAL NOTE TO THE FOLLOWING DVLA SITE: http://www.dvla.gov.
uk/media/pdf/leaflet
s/displayofnumberpla
tes.pdf
get a copy printed off and highlight the imported vehicles section and keep it in your car as they will try to fine you for having a legal number plate.
I havent met a policeman in york yet that actually know the laws on this :(
http://www.dvla.gov.
uk/media/pdf/leaflet
s/displayofnumberpla
tes.pdf
Jo, York says...
11:48am Mon 28 Jan 08
You can buy plates online that reflect the flash from a speed camera and leave the plate blank.
I saw this demonstrated on Mythbusters and it turns out not to be true.
They tried all kinds of ways to evade the camera and none of them worked.
akuma, York says...
11:53am Mon 28 Jan 08
Jo wrote:Mythbusters tried coating the plates with househgold items, not specaily designed plates.
You can buy plates online that reflect the flash from a speed camera and leave the plate blank.I saw this demonstrated on Mythbusters and it turns out not to be true. They tried all kinds of ways to evade the camera and none of them worked.
Its very true, although with the increase in poilce vechiles with ANPR they are getting caught more often as the ANPR cant read them either.
As seen of Tuesday's Road Wars.
X, At Work says...
11:53am Mon 28 Jan 08
Jo wrote:Thanks for that... Always wondered if they worked.
You can buy plates online that reflect the flash from a speed camera and leave the plate blank.I saw this demonstrated on Mythbusters and it turns out not to be true. They tried all kinds of ways to evade the camera and none of them worked.
I Find TOM TOM tells me where the speed camera's are so if i were speeding i could slow down.
akuma, York says...
11:55am Mon 28 Jan 08
Thanks for that... Always wondered if they worked.
See above comment.
They do work.
X, At Work says...
12:03pm Mon 28 Jan 08
akuma wrote:we got our posts crossed in cyberspace
Thanks for that... Always wondered if they worked.See above comment. They do work.
LOL
Jo, York says...
12:03pm Mon 28 Jan 08
I don't see how you could buy a plate which would pass a visual inspection from a policeman but evade an ANPR camera.
akuma, York says...
12:07pm Mon 28 Jan 08
I don't see how you could buy a plate which would pass a visual inspection from a policeman but evade an ANPR camera.
Watch the rerun of last tuesdays Road Wars on Sky One, they are following a Golf GTI and they reason they pull it is because the ANPR cannot read the plate.
When they look at it with there own eyes all seems fine, but on camera, both ANPR and the film crews camera the number plate is blurred beyond recognition.
And that was film in late 2007, so they are real.
Lee Boardman said the driver was later fined £500 for his trouble.
Someone else must have seen it too?
Mike, York says...
12:25pm Mon 28 Jan 08
TE, York says...
12:31pm Mon 28 Jan 08
K9 SFX, he places a statigic black bolt and it is Doggy Sex, I bet his wife drives that car - NOT.
Yorkiebear, York says...
12:58pm Mon 28 Jan 08
Why bring more attention to yourself when this gives the police an excuse to stop.
Also why do young male drivers who like playing there 'thump thump' music loudly (usually the same rhythm as another activity they indulge in) which attracts attention to their driving, and possibly their drinking especially late at night.
Voice of reason, York says...
1:01pm Mon 28 Jan 08
BMW driving round with OPT1C
That plate has been in York for many years. If it were illegal, I would hope the coppers would have had him by now.
I'm guessing they're possibly a show-off member of the LVA.
A user, Selby says...
1:07pm Mon 28 Jan 08
Bemused, York says...
1:29pm Mon 28 Jan 08
Spunkies, The Mighty Nose says...
1:29pm Mon 28 Jan 08
Voice of reason wrote:He is a ****. I know him. Hope he gets done.
BMW driving round with OPT1CThat plate has been in York for many years. If it were illegal, I would hope the coppers would have had him by now. I'm guessing they're possibly a show-off member of the LVA.
Mike C, york says...
1:44pm Mon 28 Jan 08
Jo, York says...
2:17pm Mon 28 Jan 08
I'd love a small cash incentive, say £2 per plate. Might be able to put my new camera to some use!
Diogenes, Here and there says...
2:23pm Mon 28 Jan 08
Am I missing something here?
ILLEGAL means failing the law, and any vehicle sporting such marks should be stopped and the drivers suitable punished.
Wishful thinking I know!
The great North Yorkshire police turn a blind eye to law breakers.
There is a saying, Ignore small offences, and they will turn into large offences!
Just think on it P.C.
Bemused, York says...
2:43pm Mon 28 Jan 08
It's not just North Yorkshire who are failing, you can travel from John O'Groats to Lands Ends and not see a police traffic car.
akuma, York says...
2:47pm Mon 28 Jan 08
When I have one behind me at night, I am completely blinded they are that bright.
Captain Jack Sparrow, Strensall says...
3:19pm Mon 28 Jan 08
SilverSurfer, Surfing says...
3:19pm Mon 28 Jan 08
akuma, York says...
3:29pm Mon 28 Jan 08
I bet I still see BMW's, Merc's and Audi's getting away with it though.
ouserower, york says...
4:33pm Mon 28 Jan 08
Sabado Y Domingo, The Moon says...
6:59pm Mon 28 Jan 08
X wrote:It's friend of mine who owns that reg' if you LOOK closely you can SEE it's OK.
Why even risk having a plate that isn't right. You can buy plates online that reflect the flash from a speed camera and leave the plate blank. When a police car is following you they cannot tell the difference. I agree with Akuma that it is mainly the posers that alter the plates, not boy racers. Saying that for those of you who have seen the BMW driving round with OPT1C he hasn't had it spaced properly, but the plates probably worth thousands, so's the car so he can afford the fine.
Gardener, York says...
7:07pm Mon 28 Jan 08
viper, says...
7:23pm Mon 28 Jan 08
As said this should be done all the time, not just a blitz.
Usually people who do this "little crimes" are also breaking the laws in much more serious ways too.
puffingbilly, York says...
8:27pm Mon 28 Jan 08
akuma wrote:Xenon my friend, pure light, self levelling and must be fitted with headlamp wash device
Does anyone esle think Merc headlights on models made after 2002 are border line illegal??? When I have one behind me at night, I am completely blinded they are that bright.
http://uk.youtube.co
m/watch?v=GDKZSgW7FI
4
KarenWhite1978, Heslington says...
8:57pm Mon 28 Jan 08
A few years ago I saw a car with the same reg as mine - or so it seemed. A closer inspection showed an oversized screw making a narrow 0 look like an 8 from a distance. I reported it to a passing policeman (a rare sight I know) and a few weeks later received a letter telling me that the driver has been prosecuted and fined, and assured me that the number plate had been changed.
My car's a TT by the way. Two TTs are TTs, not TT's or Audi's.
yian, Pickering says...
10:07pm Mon 28 Jan 08
Mike C wrote:Great idea. I see at least three or four mis-spaced plates each time I drive to work.
Instead of having officers waiting around for the occasional dodgy plate, why not invite Joe Public to webpost examples? Then valuable police time can be optimised just checking them of an evening at the registered address. Granted, various imperfections with that process - but surely more bangs for the buck overall?
I sent an email to DVLA and the jist of their reply was "Yeah, it's terrible isn't it".
DVLA have a conflict of interest as they make money selling plates that invite being mis-spaced.
I can't understand why people feel the need to mess around with number plates. If you want to express your individuality then by all means dye your hair pink and walk round the city walls dressed in day-glo tartan.
I would like to see number plates included in the MOT test, they currently are not.
I would also like to see some high profile plates being taken off people. People don't realise they don't own the registration number, they just own the right to use it.
But of course DVLA will lose sales if they clamp down too hard.
The UK is the only country I am aware of where mis-spaced number plates are a problem. I've been to the USA, most of Europe and even the United Arab Emirates and you just don't see it.
yian, Pickering says...
10:11pm Mon 28 Jan 08
Mike C wrote:Great idea. I see at least three or four mis-spaced plates each time I drive to work.
Instead of having officers waiting around for the occasional dodgy plate, why not invite Joe Public to webpost examples? Then valuable police time can be optimised just checking them of an evening at the registered address. Granted, various imperfections with that process - but surely more bangs for the buck overall?
I sent an email to DVLA and the jist of their reply was "Yeah, it's terrible isn't it".
DVLA have a conflict of interest as they make money selling plates that invite being mis-spaced.
I can't understand why people feel the need to mess around with number plates. If you want to express your individuality then by all means dye your hair pink and walk round the city walls dressed in day-glo tartan.
I would like to see number plates included in the MOT test, they currently are not.
I would also like to see some high profile plates being taken off people. People don't realise they don't own the registration number, they just own the right to use it.
But of course DVLA will lose sales if they clamp down too hard.
The UK is the only country I am aware of where mis-spaced number plates are a problem. I've been to the USA, most of Europe and even the United Arab Emirates and you just don't see it.
Tubbs, York says...
10:55pm Mon 28 Jan 08
oh and before you start no i don't have an illegal number plate, it just ticks me off that they have time to sit at the side of roads with thier poxy camera's but when you ring them because a crime has been commited they don't have anyone available
idlehousewife, York says...
11:13am Tue 29 Jan 08
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A user, Selby says...
10:45am Mon 28 Jan 08