MP warns 40% of taxis and private hire vehicles examined in London police operation had illegal ‘Ghost Plates’
A recent police exercise in London revealed a startling statistic—40% of the taxis and private hire vehicles inspected were examined to have illegal ‘ghost plates’. The finding, highlighted by Labour MP Sarah Coombes in the House of Commons, raises serious concerns about the scale of number plate fraud and its impact on road safety and crime prevention.
Ghost plates, also known as stealth plates, are designed to evade detection by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras. They appear normal to the human eye but have been altered or coated with materials that make them unreadable to speed cameras and police surveillance systems. The plates are easily available online for as little as £30, with sellers claiming they are legal if not used on public roads—despite clear evidence that they are being widely misused.
Coombes warned that current penalties are insufficient to deter offenders. At present, drivers caught using ghost plates face only a £100 fine, with no penalty points or driving ban. This makes it less severe than a speeding ticket and does little to discourage reckless drivers or criminals seeking to operate undetected. The West Bromwich MP is calling for tougher penalties, including a £1,000 fine, six penalty points, and potential vehicle seizure.
The widespread use of ghost plates is making enforcement increasingly difficult. The London taxi and private hire sector has already been under scrutiny for compliance issues, and this latest revelation adds another layer of concern. Authorities in Wolverhampton and Rochdale have started cracking down on their use, but the issue remains a national problem.
Police forces across the UK are investing in new technology to counter the threat, but campaigners argue that without stricter laws and enforcement, the problem will continue to grow. With one in 15 drivers estimated to be using anti-ANPR technology, the scale of the issue could be far greater than currently known.
Coombes’ Private Members’ Bill, which aims to review penalties and close loopholes in number plate regulations, has been backed by several MPs and will be read a second time in Parliament on 7 March. If passed, it could mark a significant step towards tackling illegal ghost plates and restoring the effectiveness of road safety enforcement measures.
Coombes said: “The scale of the use of ghost plates is not yet widely known, although we do know there are major issues with cloned plates and wider forms of dodgy plates. One study found that as many as one in 15 drivers may already be using anti-ANPR technology, but among some groups it could be even higher.
“One police exercise conducted in London examined more than 1,000 taxi and private hire vehicles, and found that 40% of those vehicles had ghost plates.
“Wolverhampton council is one of the local authorities taking a lead on this issue. It is working with the police to use new types of cameras to find and punish drivers using these ghost plates. Rochdale trading standards has also been among the pioneers in combating these plates. Those organisations have done great work, but it is truly a national problem.”
