Ghost Number Plates Pose National Security Threat as MPs Call for Urgent Reform

Introduction: The Growing Threat of Ghost Number Plates

Ghost number plates have emerged as a critical threat to UK national security and road safety, according to a new parliamentary report. As many as one-in-15 vehicles may carry modified, non-compliant plates including ‘ghost’ and stealth plates designed to evade ANPR detection. These sophisticated devices enable drivers to avoid detection by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, creating serious concerns for law enforcement and counter-terrorism efforts.

The Scale of the Problem

A major new report, from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Transport Safety (APPGTS), is blaming an outdated and poorly regulated number plate system for widespread illegality. The issue extends far beyond simple traffic violations. Criminals are using ANPR-evasive plates to facilitate activities including rogue trading, drug dealing and organised crime such as human trafficking and people smuggling. Most alarmingly, National Trading Standards reported that “ghost plates pose a serious threat to counter-terrorism operations”.

These plates, often sold openly online by unregulated suppliers, enable drivers to avoid paying road charges, tolls, congestion fees and fines. The report also highlighted serious regulatory weaknesses, revealing that some 34,455 suppliers registered with the DVLA to produce UK number plates, with many operating from private homes or small workshops, with no background checks in place, and some suppliers handling customers’ ID documents were found to have serious criminal convictions.

Calls for Urgent Action

The RAC and MPs have united in demanding immediate government intervention. RAC head of policy Simon Williams stated that urgent action must be taken to stop the widespread abuse of number plates, emphasising that ghost and cloned plates have no place on our roads as no one should be able to drive a vehicle that’s invisible to enforcement cameras. Innocent motorists are increasingly being targeted by criminals who clone their number plates, with many finding themselves accused of offences they did not commit, facing fines, debt collection, and in some cases, police investigation.

Conclusion: The Path Forward

The parliamentary report represents a watershed moment in addressing the ghost number plate crisis. With road safety, national security, and innocent drivers all at risk, the government faces mounting pressure to introduce stricter regulations on number plate production and enhanced security standards. The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reform to close loopholes that allow criminals to operate with impunity on British roads, whilst protecting law-abiding motorists from becoming victims of plate cloning.