1.4 million people may be driving cars with ‘invisible’ number plates

It has come to light that 5% of cars on the road today could have number plates that aren’t picked up by the ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras. This advanced system of cameras can recognise a number plate so it can be traced back to the owner, and is a vital tool for aiding the police in solving crimes. These ‘invisible’ plates were made by one of the main number plate manufacturing companies in the UK. When they found out that their new method of production made the plates unreadable by the ANPR cameras, they stopped making them that way, but over a million plates had already left the factory. It is thought that other factories may also be making plates that are not recognised by the ANPR cameras.

If you’re one of the 1.4 million people with one of these plates then you may avoid a speeding ticket, but the worrying fact is, that criminals may get away with their crimes if their cars can’t be traced. From a person driving without insurance, to a hit and run driver that kills someone, crimes are often solved, and criminals brought to justice with the help of the ANPR system. It’s a rather worrying thought.

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