New research reveals a rise in counterfeit or ‘ghost number plates’, with one in 15 vehicles sporting plates that could be unrecognizable to UK camera systems.

The report from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) confirms that illegally modified plates were recently found on 40% of private hire vehicles or taxis in London, rendering them ‘invisible’ to Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.

Highlighting the danger of counterfeit number plates, which are coated with reflective substances or have altered lettering to prevent traffic camera detection, the CTSI and West Bromwich MP Sarah Coombes are calling for harsher punishments for offenders, including possible vehicle seizure or licence confiscation.

Sarah Coombes MP said: ‘The sale of illegal number plates is not a victimless issue — it enables criminal behaviour, undermines road safety, and erodes public trust. I’ve been campaigning to increase the fines for using a ghost plate to £1000 and six penalty points.’

According to the report, current UK law sees that those using illegal number plates on public roads are fined £100, despite ‘ghost plates’ remaining legal to purchase online for as little as £30.

However, MP Sarah Coombes’ ‘Ten Minute Rule Bill’ seeks to prevent future traffic offences and limit organised crime by ensuring both suppliers and users of ghost number plates are held accountable.

CTSI Chief Executive John Herriman added: ‘Illegal ‘ghost’ plates are a menace that allow dangerous drivers and criminals to operate with impunity – this is completely unacceptable.

‘We fully support calls for tougher penalties and proactive enforcement to stamp out the use of fake number plates.’