Former head of the Automatic Number Plate Recognition system criticised how 'ridiculously easy' it was to fool the camera
Drivers are circumventing speed cameras by equipping their cars with 'ghost plates' that cannot be detected by the devices, it has been revealed. Police and local authority officials are now intensifying efforts to combat the use of these unlawful reflective number plates.
These 'ghost plates', also known as 3D and 4D plates, are manufactured to avoid detection from speed and bus lane cameras. In response, police forces are equipping themselves with sophisticated cameras capable of identifying those flouting the law. In a striking admission, the outgoing head of the UK's Automatic Number Plate Recognition system revealed how roughly one in 15 drivers were exploiting vulnerabilities in the system, which he described as 'staggeringly simple' to deceive. Professor Fraser Sampson, who was departing from his role as Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner, voiced his concern in a letter to the Transport Secretary about the insufficient action to tackle the issue. To address this challenge, new technology is being rolled out by councils, with local wardens being issued new cameras specifically engineered to 'see' the elusive plates as part of a broader crackdown. Those caught using these illegal plates could face a £100 fine. Professor Sampson outlined in his letter how individuals can dodge traffic penalties by cloning number plates, applying reflective tape, or buying 'stealth plates'. He further highlighted that number plate recognition accuracy stands at just 97%, generating approximately 2.4 million misreadings every day, leaving blameless motorists facing unwarranted fines. With roughly 15,400 traffic lanes under camera surveillance, processing between 75 and 80 million reads daily, and potentially hitting 100 million before the close of 2024, the scale of the problem cannot be understated. Prof Sampson stated: "For all its technological advancement and operational indispensability, the ANPR system still relies ultimately on a piece of plastic affixed to either end of a vehicle. Served by a wholly unregulated market, what my predecessor termed the humble number plate represents a single and readily assailable point of failure with the ANPR network being easily defeated by the manufacture and sale of stealth plates, cloned registration marks and other rudimentary obscurant tactics. "The result is that the ability to frustrate the ANPR system remains staggeringly simple at a time when proper reliance on it for key public services such as policing, law enforcement and traffic management is increasing daily. Emission zones and other strategic traffic enforcement schemes put motorists in situations where they have to make significant financial choices and it is at least arguable that the incentives for some to 'game' the ANPR systems have never been greater." "Merely by applying reflective tape to distort part of a registration plate or purchasing stealth plates from online vendors, motorists can confuse and confound current number plate recognition technology and both of these are easily obtainable. One recent estimate suggested that one in fifteen drivers may already be using anti-ANPR technology; it is reasonable to expect this conduct to increase as the reliance on ANPR for new traffic management schemes continues." The ease with which people can issue vehicle number plates is “an open incentive for fraud”, the Government has been warned. But responding to concerns in Parliament, a minister insisted the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency was “already on the case” of tightening up the process to become a supplier and “make it more robust”. The call to strengthen regulation comes amid ongoing disquiet over the prevalence of vehicles with illegal plates, designed to evade detection by automatic number plate recognition cameras. So-called ghost plates – favoured by rogue motorists and criminals to avoid detection – feature a reflective coating that prevents them being read by enforcement equipment. Another technique used is plate cloning, which involves illegally copying another vehicle’s registration. Campaigners have previously warned the misuse of the number plate system enabled a range of offences, from dodging road charges and fines, to drug dealing and organised crime. In a report last year, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Transport Safety argued the number of licensed sellers of number plates should be “significantly” reduced from the current level of more than 34,000 by introducing annual fees and higher standards.Some of those handling customers’ identity documents were also revealed to have criminal convictions for violence and fraud. Replying to a question in the House of Lords, transport minister Lord Hendy said: “The Government recognise the urgency and importance of tackling the use of illegal number plates designed to evade enforcement cameras. “The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is working hard with the police, other enforcement agencies and the industry to address the manufacture and misuse of such plates. This includes tightening application, inspection and audit processes for number plate suppliers.” Artificial intelligence was also being looked at “to help stamp out illegal plates”, he added. Pressing the minister, Labour peer Lord Snape said: “Does he agree that the fact that anyone can apply to be a number plate issuer on a payment of £40 to his department, and that 36,000 people or companies have already done so, is an open incentive for fraud so far as motoring is concerned?” Lord Hendy said: “The DVLA is already on the case to strengthen the application process to become a registered number plate supplier and to make it more robust. “Options being considered include the fee level, the structure, eligibility criteria, and much greater enforcement.” He added: “The actions taken by the Government include considering online sales of number plates, which is clearly one source of illegal number plates. “As to the scale and for an example, in 1,000 vehicle checks carried out by the Metropolitan Police with Transport for London in March 2023 using cameras which are able to detect ghost number plates, 41% of licensed taxis and private hire vehicles were found to have non-compliant plates.” Former Scotland Yard chief Lord Hogan-Howe stressed the importance of having an effective ANPR system that could not be evaded by motorists. The independent crossbencher, who was Metropolitan Police commissioner from 2011 to 2017, said: “It is fixed in various places around the country, it is also in many police vehicles, and it helps to spot people who commit crime, particularly those who have no insurance. “Some people pass that off, but 70% of those who are uninsured are criminals, so it is a really interesting group to keep an eye on. “People in that group are five times more likely to have collisions, and when they have them, it is nine times more likely that they will be serious. This is a really important piece of kit.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Thousands of drivers 'could break law before leaving home' this EasterNew research shows drivers will be putting themselves at risk of fines, points and invalidated insurance
Read more »
Mersey Tunnel 10k Returns with Record Number of RunnersOver 4,100 runners will participate in the 20th Mersey Tunnel 10k on April 12th, a unique event that takes participants through the Kingsway Tunnel under the River Mersey. The point-to-point race, which starts in Liverpool city centre and finishes in New Brighton, has sold out and offers runners a chance to experience the tunnel on foot and enjoy scenic views.
Read more »
Claude Code bypasses safety rule if given too many commands: A hard-coded limit on deny rules drops automatic enforcement for concatenated commands
Read more »
Record Fuel Price Surge Hits Drivers Amidst Iran WarPetrol and diesel prices have skyrocketed to record levels, fueled by the Iran war and supply disruptions, placing a significant financial burden on drivers and businesses. The increases surpass those seen during the Ukraine conflict, prompting calls for government action.
Read more »
Drivers heading to Europe warned to fill up on fuel before they leaveYou could pay a lot more for your journey if you get it wrong
Read more »
World Cup icon left injured after tennis match with Carlos AlcarazThe world number one put a former footballer through his paces
Read more »