Cloned plate/speed cameras

NickXX · 16 Sep 2006 at 11:00

Hi all,

I received a letter from Lancashire Police yesterday telling me I'd been caught doing 36mph in Blackpool on 08/09/2006. This interested me for two reasons:

1. My car has been no-where near Blackpool in the 6 months that I've owned it.
2. I was on a train to Paris at the time that is stated, in fact I think they timed it so well that I was actually somewhere under the Channel.

Anyway, I've checked, and my parents/brother had not touched the car so I'm certain it was sitting on our driveway at home.

So I've come to the assumption that someone is driving around with my plates. Lancashire Constabulary are fantastic in the way that their phone lines are only open from 10am-2pm Monday to Friday, so I've not been able to share the joy yet.

Has anyone had their plates cloned before? If so what did you do - should I be contacting the DVLA/my insurer?

Lastly, if anyone's seen a Black BMW on a 52 plate in Blackpool driven by a shady character, I would be eternally grateful if you could supply the address of your nearest DIY/axe shop.

Thanks in advance for any advice

Freefaller · 16 Sep 2006 at 11:21

I guess you've told the police that you were out of the country and that your car hasn't moved? Then at least you'd have a reference number. I would THEN get in touch with the DVLA, but I don't know if they have anything to do with it?

I've had my plates cloned before - I got done for the congestion charge when I wasn't anywhere near it. It was the identical same car (though couldn't tell the colour - however the car had a border around the number plate which mine doesnt. and the number plate mount was different to mine - secondly you couldn't see the intercooler

I got in touch with transport for london - it took 6 letters and 3 phone calls because they are a ******** joke to deal with and are a pathetic company. However after that was done I got in touch with the police and got a crime reference number and that's all I've heard from it... I didn't get in touch with the DVLA because I didn't think of doing it

Dup · 16 Sep 2006 at 11:25

I'll keep my eyes peeled, sounds about right for Blackpool :rolleyes:

NickXX · 16 Sep 2006 at 13:51

Cheers guys - I've spoken to the police back home now. They reckon it's likely a clerical error - so have told me to get hold of a photo, and go from there.

If it's a clone - I will have to get back to my home police and they'll set up a case. Cannot believe that the Speed camera department of Lancs police are only open from 10am-2pm and only on Mon-Fri, really quite shocking.