Already a subscriber? Log in
As I quickly learned, the first step when you discover that your number plates have been stolen is to report it straight away, either to the DVLA or the police. While this might sound obvious, many drivers don’t see the need to record the crime if there’s no damage done to their car. But by doing so, you’re alerting the police to the fact that your plates could be used in criminal activity.
While still in the car park I dialled 101 which put me through to Nottinghamshire Police. Later, they phoned back to tell me that within hours my plates had been attached to a Mercedes which was then driven out of a petrol station without the driver paying for a full tank of fuel.
The officer also warned me to expect the likes of parking and speeding fines and that, in the worst case scenario, the plates could be used on a vehicle involved in more serious criminal activity. They gave me a crime number and suggested I let my insurance company know, in case anyone should try to make a claim against a vehicle bearing my plates that had been involved in an accident.
I needed replacement number plates, too – and fast. What I didn’t realise until afterwards was that there are no circumstances in which it is legal to drive your car on UK roads without a number plate on the front and rear – even when you’ve reported them missing to the police, you could end up with a fine of up to £1,000.
I was tipped off by an elderly chap who saw my plight in the car park that if I nipped into the service station in the village they’d be able to sort new ones for me. Fortunately I have my car serviced there so they already had proof of ownership (a copy of my V5 document from the DVLA) and had new plates made for me in time for the afternoon school run. Annoyingly these cost £40 – money that would have paid to heat my home office for about five minutes this winter or for my son’s new rugby boots
Speaking of my little boy, he thought it all terribly exciting that ‘baddies are on the loose with our plates, Mummy!’ – and especially the prospect that with the replacements fitted we might get pulled over by the police now there was a ‘local obs’ out on our registration, according to the officer I’d spoken to.
The mechanic attached my replacement plates using anti-theft screw kits, meaning they can’t just be ripped off. Although you can never completely prevent theft, experts also recommend parking your car in a garage at home or in busy, well-lit areas when out and about, ideally those with CCTV and other cars around.
But the key message is that if it does happen to you, report the crime. You’re unlikely to see your number plates again, but you’ll at least have the peace of mind that you won’t be charged or even arrested for any crimes committed in a vehicle that the thieving little whatsit has attached them to.
Because you read about cars
Also by Sadie Nicholas
Latest
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in