In UK Parliament yesterday (Wednesday 26 February) the MP for West Bromwich, Sarah Coombes, launched a campaign against ghost number plates with reflective coatings that prevent ordinary ANPR cameras from reading them, just as new technology has been announced to help tackle this exact issue.
The BBC reported that Coombes introduced a Ten Minute Rule Bill calling for increased penalties, including fines up to £1,000 and six points on licenses, noting that the current £100 fine is insufficient to deter drivers who use these plates to evade traffic laws.
Estimates suggest that one in 15 motorists may be exploiting these illicit methods, causing millions in lost revenue whilst also threatening road and public safety. Even more concerning is the ease with which these plates can be acquired online for as little as £30, alongside other deceptive tactics like reflective tape and cloned registration marks.
With over 15,000 traffic cameras nationwide, current systems read 75–80 million number plates daily, yet roughly 2.4 million of these are misread, highlighting vulnerabilities in the existing infrastructure.
Ghost-plate-reading ANPR
While fines and vigilance may be increased, the challenge still remains in catching those using ghost plates, which are specifically designed to avoid ANPR, one of the primary highway enforcement techniques. However, the new focus on this problem comes just as MAV Systems has launched a solution – its AiQ Advanced Intelligence ANPR camera has GhostPlate technology, which empowers councils and law enforcement to detect and deter offenders with unparalleled precision.
The MAV AiQ leverages state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the capabilities of existing ANPR systems. By employing advanced machine learning algorithms, MAV AIQ can: detect anomalies in number plate designs, including reflective distortions and counterfeit characteristics; identify subtle discrepancies in cloned or altered plates; provide IR and colour capture to overcome reflective alterations; process millions of reads daily with unrivalled accuracy; and generate multi-captures that are filtered through ‘best match’ software
MAV AIQ also integrates seamlessly with enforcement databases, allowing councils and police to flag suspected illegal/altered plates in real-time, cross-reference captured data with registered vehicle records for instant validation and generate actionable alerts for immediate investigation
Sarah Coombes MP linked the issue to broader road safety concerns, citing that 1,000 people are killed or seriously injured annually on West Midlands roads. She argued that drivers using ghost plates to avoid consequences for running red lights, speeding, and drink-driving create significant danger for other road users. The bill will receive a second reading on March 7, while the government has stated it is working on its first new road safety strategy in 10 years.
But MAV Systems believes its AiQ camera will enable councils and law enforcement to enhance public safety, enforce compliance, and maintain the integrity of the UK’s road networks,
