New roads policing centre to tackle illegal number plates
Government funding establishes National Roads Policing Coordination Centre to improve data sharing and trial new technology.
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The Department for Transport is providing funding for a new National Roads Policing Coordination Centre (NRPCC) designed to enhance enforcement against illegal number plates across England. This centre aims to improve collaboration and data sharing among police forces, forming part of the government's Road Safety Strategy.
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Illegal number plates are frequently used by drivers to evade fines for speeding, parking, or clean air zone charges. They are also linked to organised crime, facilitating the movement of illegal goods and making vehicles harder to track when stolen or involved in serious offences. The NRPCC will bring police forces together to share intelligence and improve the use of data.
New technology will be trialled, including specialised goggles capable of detecting number plates that have been altered to be unreadable by cameras. Drivers found using incorrectly displayed number plates can face fines of up to £1,000. The government stated this initiative will help police track down criminals more quickly, making roads safer and reducing crime.
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The establishment of the NRPCC is a component of the government's Road Safety Strategy, the first such strategy in over a decade, which aims to save thousands of lives. Previous actions under this strategy have included consultations on stronger penalties for illegal number plate use, reviewing number plate standards, and enhancing enforcement measures. The strategy also involves collaboration with the DVSA and DVLA to improve the identification and enforcement against illegal number plates.
This is a signal to anyone using illegal number plates that their time is up. We will catch you and our roads and streets will be safer for it.
Justin Madders, Roads Minister
Chief Superintendent Marc Clothier, Deputy National Coordinator for the NRPCC, stated that the centre's mission is to address the most significant risks to road safety and develop the police response to criminality. He highlighted the effectiveness of targeted, intelligence-led approaches in tackling offenders and educating drivers on compliant number plates. He added that the funding from the DfT provides a valuable opportunity to support road safety and policing through enhanced national coordination, consistency, collaboration, and communication.
Policing and Crime Minister Sarah Jones commented that illegal number plates are not a victimless offence, as they are used by criminals to avoid detection and move illegal goods. She affirmed the government's determination to provide police with advantages in combating serious and organised crime while improving road safety for everyone.
Questions this report answers
+What is the purpose of the new National Roads Policing Coordination Centre?
The National Roads Policing Coordination Centre (NRPCC) will aim to improve collaboration and data sharing among police forces across England. Its primary goal is to enhance enforcement against illegal number plates, which are often used to evade fines and are linked to organised crime.
+What new technology will be trialled by the NRPCC?
The NRPCC plans to trial new technology, including specialised goggles designed to detect number plates that have been altered to be unreadable by cameras. This technology aims to help police identify vehicles used for criminal activities more effectively.
+What are the penalties for using illegal number plates?
Drivers using incorrectly displayed number plates can be fined up to £1,000. The government is also reviewing number plate standards and considering stronger penalties as part of its Road Safety Strategy.
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