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Taxi cop catches TWO private hire vehicles using ‘ghost’ plates cameras cannot properly read
- Perry Richardson
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Two private hire vehicle licences have been immediately suspended after so-called “ghost” number plates were discovered during enforcement activity involving locally licensed PHVs.
PC Patrick Quinton, Taxi Cop for Avon and Somerset Police, said he had dealt with two sets of the plates, which are designed or modified in a way that interferes with camera-based vehicle identification.
PC Quinton said on Thursday: “Today, I dealt with two sets of ‘ghost’ plates from locally licensed Private Hire Vehicles.
“Ghost plates are those that have been manufactured or altered to prevent cameras reading the plate.”
According to Quinton, action was taken against the PHV licences immediately following the discoveries. The number plates themselves were also removed from circulation.
He said: “The PHV licences were immediately suspended and the plates seized for destruction or training.”
The finding is particularly relevant to taxi and private hire enforcement because Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology and other camera systems play an important role in identifying vehicles and supporting road traffic and licensing enforcement.
Quinton said the type of plate involved cannot be identified simply by looking at it, meaning a driver may potentially be unaware that a plate supplied or fitted to their vehicle has characteristics intended to interfere with cameras.
He said: “These plates cannot be detected by the human eye and I use a special camera to find them.”
The officer has consequently encouraged licensed drivers who have concerns about their number plates to come forward and have them checked rather than risk encountering the issue during enforcement activity.
Quinton added: “If you are in any doubt if your plates are legal, do come and see me and I will check for you. If I find it is a ghost plate, and you’ve come voluntarily, you won’t be given a Fixed Penalty Notice.”
