Shelli Birkett discovered that her car’s number plate had been cloned when her insurer accused her of being involved in an accident in Liverpool, which was over 280 miles away from her home in Kent. Birkett, who had never been to Liverpool, had to prove her innocence by demonstrating that she was in her hometown of Herne Bay at the time of the incident. This incident is just one of many cases of number plate fraud, where plates are duplicated or stolen. Kent Police reported an increase in such crimes in recent years.
After providing evidence that she was in Herne Bay on the day of the accident, Birkett’s case was resolved. She used Google locations and social media posts to verify her whereabouts. Birkett revealed that not only was her number plate cloned, but it was also put on a car of the same make. She received letters from the insurance company’s lawyers demanding settlement money even after the case was closed.
The RAC explained that criminals steal or copy the identity of a legally registered vehicle to conceal the identity of a stolen or salvaged vehicle. They often steal registration plates or create duplicate plates to put on another car. Criminals find number plates to clone online, such as from car buying and selling websites. Reports of number plate thefts in Kent have increased by 37% over four years, with 1,120 cases reported in 2024 compared to 815 in 2020.
Ch Supt Rob Marsh from Kent Police stated that people use stolen number plates to commit crimes like avoiding congestion charges or fuel theft. The Home Office emphasized that number plate cloning and defacing impact road safety and provide cover for criminals. They are collaborating with law enforcement agencies and other partners to combat these crimes, including developing a new Road Safety Strategy.
“To decrease fatalities on the road and deter associated criminal activity. Further information will be provided soon. Connect with BBC Kent on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Share your story suggestions with us at southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or message us on WhatsApp at 08081 002250. Related news: Amazon prohibits illegal number plates following discovery of illicit supply, fines imposed on numerous individuals due to cloned car plates, man expresses frustration over proving number plate cloning. For more information, visit Kent Police, Home Office, and RAC websites.”
