Got my first PCN!

Moley

Moley

Moley

Soldato
Joined
29 Aug 2006
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4,350
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In a world of my own - but it's ok, they know me.
Well two actually - for the same day and same kind of infringement on two different roads "52J Failing to comply with a prohibition on certain types of vehicle".

On two roads in North London, Thursday last week, while I was at home all day, in Hampshire.

Yep, my plate has been cloned.
I reviewed the video and photo graphic evidence and its a Silver Ford Focus similar to mine but clearly a lower trim model - I gave the photo to Claude to analyse and it came back with a nice summary:

Looking at the photo, this is definitely a Mk4 Ford Focus (2018+) on a 20-plate, but it's not an ST-Line X. Several things give it away:
Rear bumper — This is the plain, flat rear bumper used on the lower trim levels (Style, Zetec, or Titanium). The ST-Line X has a noticeably more aggressive bumper with a faux-diffuser element and integrated exhaust trim/tips. This car has a completely smooth bumper with what looks like a single hidden exhaust exit underneath.

No rear spoiler — The ST-Line X comes with a pronounced rear roof spoiler. This car has either no spoiler or only the very subtle lip that comes on the base trims.

Alloy wheels — The wheels visible on the nearside look like smaller, standard multi-spoke alloys — likely 16" or possibly 17". The ST-Line X ships with 18" alloys in a distinctive design.

Overall stance — The ST-Line X sits lower on sport-tuned suspension. This car has a more upright, standard ride height.

This looks most like a Zetec or possibly a Titanium trim. It's the same generation and colour, but the body kit, wheels, and overall profile are clearly different from an ST-Line X.

For your appeal, I'd focus on photographing your car from the same rear angle and highlighting the bumper, spoiler, and wheels side by side — those are the most visually obvious differences that anyone reviewing the case should be able to spot immediately. You could also include a spec sheet or Ford brochure page showing the exterior differences between trims.
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I reported to 101 yesterday, just awaiting a crime reference number to add to the appeal/representations and then hopefully this should all go away.
 
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Moley said:
Well two actually - for the same day and same kind of infringement on two different roads "52J Failing to comply with a prohibition on certain types of vehicle".

On two roads in North London, Thursday last week, while I was at home all day, in Hampshire.

Yep, my plate has been cloned.
I reviewed the video and photo graphic evidence and its a Silver Ford Focus similar to mine but clearly a lower trim model - I gave the photo to Claude to analyse and it came back with a nice summary:



I reported to 101 yesterday, just awaiting a crime reference number to add to the appeal/representations and then hopefully this should all go away.
Click to expand...

Good luck :(

Took 2 months, 3 PCNs, a parking ticket and a rather strongly and sarcastically worded email to get my partner's cloned plates sorted out - I'm sure it varies from force to force, but both Warwickshire and West Midlands police were extremely unhelpful
 
I give up trying to appeal PCNs


All they are out to do is rob you , may aswel just pay the £35

The local council just want to rinse you of money


I had 2 in the space of 2 weeks once, clearly the local council were running out of money
 
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The best thing you could do now to avoid any more PCNs and headache with police is to get your self a cheap private plate and put it on your car.

Once they realise your old plates are no longer insured/taxed/MOT'd etc they'll bin them.
 
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MrRockliffe said:
AKA I can’t read signs ;)
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Not really


the one was more entrapment,


I was on a road in to cardiff, and there is a left hand lane which near the last part of it, has a turning left, there was no signs on the approach stating that if you turn left, you would end up on another small road, which then leads and ends up in to another piece of road which is for taxis's only


as soon as you take the first left (which has no signage) you end up on the second road, again no signs stating the approaching road is for taxis only, by the time your on the second piece of road, you cannot turn round, you cannot do anything and you are forced to then drive on the 3rd road, where only at this point there is signs and a camera, by this time its too late, they have got you. You are forced on to the 3rd road with no option to back out , entrapment
 
DJMK4 said:
I give up trying to appeal PCNs


All they are out to do is rob you , may aswel just pay the £35

The local council just want to rinse you of money


I had 2 in the space of 2 weeks once, clearly the local council were running out of money
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It's £160 per notice. No way I'm giving them £320 for something I've not done. I'll take it all the way to court.
 
DJMK4 said:
Not really


the one was more entrapment,


I was on a road in to cardiff, and there is a left hand lane which near the last part of it, has a turning left, there was no signs on the approach stating that if you turn left, you would end up on another small road, which then leads and ends up in to another piece of road which is for taxis's only


as soon as you take the first left (which has no signage) you end up on the second road, again no signs stating the approaching road is for taxis only, by the time your on the second piece of road, you cannot turn round, you cannot do anything and you are forced to then drive on the 3rd road, where only at this point there is signs and a camera, by this time its too late, they have got you. You are forced on to the 3rd road with no option to back out , entrapment
Click to expand...

what about hazard lights, oh no broken down?
 
DJMK4 said:
Not really


the one was more entrapment,


I was on a road in to cardiff, and there is a left hand lane which near the last part of it, has a turning left, there was no signs on the approach stating that if you turn left, you would end up on another small road, which then leads and ends up in to another piece of road which is for taxis's only


as soon as you take the first left (which has no signage) you end up on the second road, again no signs stating the approaching road is for taxis only, by the time your on the second piece of road, you cannot turn round, you cannot do anything and you are forced to then drive on the 3rd road, where only at this point there is signs and a camera, by this time its too late, they have got you. You are forced on to the 3rd road with no option to back out , entrapment
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Please tell me you aren't talking about Mill Lane...
 
Rroff said:
Please tell me you aren't talking about Mill Lane...
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Not quite no,

i have had a PCN ticket before cardiff churchill way (by the arena)

but the one i was on about above, is by Kingsway i think,

your on the main road in to cardiff, then there is a road called kingsway i believe whch then leads you in to a road by the hilton hotel, its at this point you then lead on to another road which is a bus/taxi only gateway road
 
ADT said:
The best thing you could do now to avoid any more PCNs and headache with police is to get your self a cheap private plate and put it on your car.

Once they realise your old plates are no longer insured/taxed/MOT'd etc they'll bin them.
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I get my annual bonus at the end of the month so this is actually something I could consider. :)
 
DJMK4 said:
Not quite no,

but the one i was on about above, is by Kingsway i think,

your on the main road in to cardiff, then there is a road called kingsway i believe whch then leads you in to a road by the hilton hotel, its at this point you then lead on to another road which is a bus/taxi only gateway road
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Do you mean this road? :p

Screenshot 2026-04-15 112259.png


Screenshot 2026-04-15 112326.png
 
This one

Off the main road in the first couple of images, there are no warning signs that if you turn left, you will be entering another road, which then leads to the last road which is a taxi only


by the time your on the first left turning you cannot turn back










 
DJMK4 said:
This one

Off the main road in the first couple of images, there are no warning signs that if you turn left, you will be entering another road, which then leads to the last road which is a taxi only


by the time your on the first left turning you cannot turn back

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By the time you reach that picture, it's not too late I don't think? You turn left onto Greyfriars and can follow it all the way back round to the road you were originally on it looks like?

If you tried to turn right there, you'd get pinged by the camera.
 
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Kenai said:
By the time you reach that picture, it's not too late I don't think? You turn left onto Greyfriars and can follow it all the way back round to the road you were originally on it looks like?

If you tried to turn right there, you'd get pinged by the camera.
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Not sure on the left turn, cardiff is a nightmare for entrapping you, there are loads of roads you cannot go down, cardiff is the worst for camera's and PCN notices

Anyways, it was a dark night, hammering down with rain, and you cant see signs properly

Not much i could have done and it was way too late.



they should have had signs abit further back

, especially somewhere on that second road stating "right turn for taxis etc only"
 
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Rroff said:
Not an entirely unusual one from people I know who've been to Cardiff for nights out / events.
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I live in cardiff and drive around cardiff all the time, however, i never really drop people off by there ,

its just one of many many opportunities for them to grab money from you. Makes me want to avoid driving around the place here tbh
 
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