An average of 56 number plates are stolen from vehicles every day in England and Wales, according to a recent study.
The RAC has found that there were 20,717 reported cases of stolen number plates in 2014, which is down by 12 per cent compared to 2010, when 23,667 reported cases were made.
These figures were found following a Freedom of Information request by the RAC which 34 police forces in England and Wales responded to.
It’s been found that criminals fix stolen number plates to other cars, usually of the same make and model, in a bid to make them appear genuine. This trick makes it more difficult for the criminals to be caught for offences such as speeding, burglary or leaving fuel forecourts without paying.
While the number of number plates in England and Wales has fallen overall since 2010, certain police forces have revealed that the issue has gotten worse in their local area.
Best and worst areas for number plate theft
Between 2010 and 2014, the number of number plate thefts reported to West Midlands Police has increased by as much as 38 per cent. Derbyshire Police has the second largest increase of 34 per cent, followed by North Yorkshire (18 per cent) and South Yorkshire (13 per cent).
In terms of reducing the amount of number plate thefts, Warwickshire Police leads the way, reporting an 80 per cent reduction between 2010 and 2014. This police force is followed by Cheshire (55 per cent decrease), Surrey (50 per cent) and Thames Valley Police (46 per cent).
Pete Williams of the RAC said: “To reduce the chances of becoming a victim, motorists can take steps such as purchasing tamper-resistant number plates or screws, and parking their vehicle in as secure and well-lit location as possible.”
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