Ghost Plate crisis in the UK: National Security risk growing

In the United Kingdom, a lack of oversight on vehicle license plates is threatening both national security and the safety of road users. According to a report by Sky News, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Transport Safety (APPGTS) has highlighted the rapid spread of "ghost" plates that disable automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems and is demanding urgent tightening of regulations.

These plates, made unreadable using reflective sprays and special coatings, manage to evade the system, causing one in every 15 vehicles to escape ANPR scanning. This situation makes it difficult to track a wide range of illegal activities, from uninsured vehicles to criminal networks. MPs also note an increase in cloned plate cases, where criminals copy the plates of other vehicles to avoid speed cameras and fines.

The report revealed that a significant portion of plate sellers operate from private homes or workshops without background checks, with some found to have criminal records. The APPGTS recommends reducing the current number of over 34,000 authorized sellers and tightening licensing rules.

While the RAC and industry representatives support the call, the DVLA reminded that vehicles using illegal plates carry the risk of up to two years in prison. The process of reviewing standards is ongoing.

SOURCE: https://londraaktuel.com/ingilterede-hayalet-plaka-krizi-ulusal-guvenlik-riski-buyuyor/