Cars with number plates on pictures

[MacCLS500]

I have had this conversation on other forums regarding removing the numbers from number plates on pictures due to cars being cloned. The response has been very varied from who cares to its amust. Does it matter and are many car number plates cloned. Is there any other reason. Has any member had a chat with the police to take their view. As we drive are cars on the roads our number plates are exposed 100% of the time so my question is what is the difference? Do those who want to cloan go to forum sites to cloan number plates. I may have missed the point in the security aspect or is there any issue that I have missed.

 

[MOCAŠ]

I don't know how prevalent cloning is, but there have been several reported incidents in the press over the years, and it's enough of an issue for the DVLA to have posted the following information on direct.gov: What to do if your vehicle has been cloned : Directgov - Motoring

The forum's unwritten policy on this is that if posting photos taken at a members' get-together, then the number plates should be blanked as a courtesty to those members who would rather protect their privacy. People posting photos of their own cars will simply follow their personal preference.

Not sure whether there's any evidence that would-be cloners trawl the Net for victims, but one reason to do so would be that it's easier to find a selection of a given model/colour combination than by simply walking the streets, especially if you don't care where in the country it's located.

Admittedly, in many reported cases, the cloners have actually stolen the number plates themselves from the target car, which would at least alert the owner to the fact that he was at risk. However, it's not as difficult to get a set of number plates made up without the required documentation as the government legislation would suggest, so there's no need for these people to go roaming the streets, screw-driver in hand...

 

[Cabe]

OMG YOU COULD TAKE PICTURES WITH A PHONE CAMERA AND CLONE THE PLATE.

BAN MOBILES!

</daily_mail_logic>

 

[markjay]

As said, you can get more number plates simply by going into the local Tesco's car park... I don't see why cloners would be especially attracted to this site.

I am guessing that this issue is related perhaps to specialist forums - e.g. Subaru, GTR, Evo, etc - perhaps where cloners need to get number plates for specific models of stolen cars or such like.

 

[moonloops]

They a far better off cloning a local car rather than one randomly from the net.

Firstly, more chance of it being insured.
Secondly, less likely to ping the local plod's "suspicion radar" than if it was from a car from out of the area.

 

[Dieselman]

They a far better off cloning a local car rather than one randomly from the net.

Firstly, more chance of it being insured.
Secondly, less likely to ping the local plod's "suspicion radar" than if it was from a car from out of the area.

Cars are from all over now, especially as most start life as a lease car from a central supplier.

 

[Dieselman]

As said, you can get more number plates simply by going into the local Tesco's car park... I don't see why cloners would be especially attracted to this site.

I am guessing that this issue is related perhaps to specialist forums - e.g. Subaru, GTR, Evo, etc - perhaps where cloners need to get number plates for specific models of stolen cars or such like.

Like if someone wanted a plate for a Silver Mercedes CLK, for instance. Sit at home, scan the forum pics...voilla.


I know two people that have had cars cloned by criminals and it's hassle.