Motorists have been warned to protect their number plates after new figures revealed thefts have surged by almost a third in the past year.
It comes after data from the DVLA revealed 7,381 number plates were reported stolen last year, up 30 per cent from 5,683 the year before.
The problem has grown rapidly over the past few years. In 2021, there were just 3,376 reports of stolen plates, meaning the total has now more than doubled.
Criminals often steal or copy number plates so they can avoid being identified while committing offences, leaving innocent drivers facing fines and police enquiries for crimes they did not commit.
The DVLA recorded 11,394 suspected cloning cases last year, compared with 7,430 in 2021, marking an increase of 53 per cent.
Cloning cases occur when criminals copy the registration from a legitimate vehicle and fit it to another car that looks similar.
Freedom of Information data also showed the DVLA has received more than 30,000 reports of suspected plate cloning in recent years.
Many victims do not realise their number plate has been stolen or copied until penalty notices begin arriving through the post.
DVLA revealed that 7,381 number plates were reported stolen last year
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PA/DVLAThese can include speeding tickets, parking fines, bus lane penalties and congestion charge notices for offences they never committed.
Neil Atkinson, owner of Carrosserie, said: “Number plate theft is a serious and growing problem, and many motorists don’t realise how vulnerable they are. What makes it particularly worrying is that innocent drivers end up paying the price for crimes committed with their stolen plates.”
He recommended fitting anti-tamper screws, which cost around £2.50 a set and are designed to make it much harder for thieves to remove number plates.
The one-way screws can usually be fitted with a standard flat-blade screwdriver but are extremely difficult to remove without specialist tools.
The DVLA advises drivers to get their vehicles fitted with theft-resistant number plates | PA
Mr Atkinson said: “These screws are a genuine deterrent. Thieves are selective, and if your vehicle takes longer to target than others on the street, they’ll simply move on.”
Drivers may have to challenge fines and prove they were not responsible for offences committed by someone else.
In some cases, cloned plates have even been linked to more serious crimes, meaning innocent motorists could find themselves contacted by police during investigations.
Motorists who think their vehicle has been cloned should look out for unexpected penalty notices, speeding tickets or letters from private parking companies relating to places they have never visited.
DVLA data revealed a sharp rise in number plate thefts in the UK
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GETTYEvidence can also help prove a vehicle has been cloned. This could include photographs showing the offending vehicle is a different make, model or colour, or has different features such as stickers or spoilers.
Doorbell camera footage or CCTV showing your vehicle was parked at home when the offence happened can also support your case.
Mr Atkinson added: “The good news is that anti-tamper screws are an incredibly simple and affordable way to protect yourself.”