Cloned Plates Chaos: Vauxhall Astra Busted in Bolton
On Thursday 16 April 2020, police spotted a dodgy Vauxhall Astra rocking cloned number plates in Blackburn. The chase led officers through Darwen into Bolton where a Lancashire Constabulary Tactical Operations officer tried to trap it at the head of a traffic queue.
Astra Reverses, Playback Fails
The Astra tried to make a daring escape by reversing onto the pavement, but police blocked its path. Meanwhile, a second getaway car — a blue BMW 3 Series also sporting cloned plates — slipped through and remains on the run.
Driver Locked Up for Multiple Offences
Wasim Iqbal, 22, from Chorley New Road, Bolton, was jailed on 17 April 2020 for 16 weeks. His charges included driving while disqualified, driving without due care, no insurance, and tyres dangerously worn below legal tread limits.
Iqbal’s arrest marks a win for police tackling crime using cloned cars, but one rogue BMW is still dodging the law. Authorities urge anyone spotting suspicious vehicles to report them immediately.
