Ghost Number Plates on the Rise: Drivers Dodge Speed Cameras and ANPR With Sneaky Tricks
What Are Ghost Number Plates?
Brit drivers are increasingly using “ghost” or “stealth” number plates to slip under the radar of speed cameras and ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) systems. These clever plates are altered with reflective materials or physical tweaks that baffle camera software and law enforcement.
- Reflective coatings hide plate details under infrared light.
- Letters and numbers are tampered with to confuse recognition software.
- Plates are distorted to produce faulty camera reads.
Safety Fears Mount as MPs Sound Alarm
Labour MP Sarah Coombes from West Bromwich slammed the rise of ghost plates as a “serious criminal matter”. She pointed out the absurdity that penalties for tampering with number plates are currently lighter than speeding fines.
“This is a serious criminal issue. At the moment, the penalties for covering up or altering your number plate are less than what you’d get for a speeding ticket.”
Coombes warned some drivers feel emboldened to get away with:
- Running red lights
- Drunk driving
- Ignoring speed limits
- Evading law enforcement
ANPR Tech Under Threat
The RAC Foundation estimates about one in 12 number plates on UK roads are obscured, damaged, or tampered with, seriously undercutting ANPR effectiveness.
Coombes stressed the vital role of ANPR in keeping roads safe:
“ANPR and the humble number plate are hardwired into the UK’s road safety. If people think they can speed, drive without due care, or evade prosecution by doctoring their plates, then we need to remove this temptation.”
Criminal Use and Calls for Tougher Penalties
Ghost plates aren’t just for dodging speeding fines. Criminals exploit them to:
- Dodge congestion charges and tolls
- Evade police surveillance
- Commit crimes without leaving a trace
Coombes demands tougher punishments to deter offenders:
“Innocent members of the public are being put at risk. The punishments need to be tougher.”
Authorities urge the public to report suspicious vehicles with altered or obscured plates to help crack down on this growing menace.
