Council wardens armed with new 'intelligent' cameras which will spot this driving offence

Richard Guttridge

9 May 2024 at 4:12 am·2-min read

New specialist cameras are being used by a Midlands council in a bid to catch drivers committing a serious offence on the roads. The state-of-the-art technology is being rolled out to detect so-called 'ghost plates'.

It follows concerns about an increase in use of these infra-red reflective number plates, sometimes also known as 3D or 4D plates, which aren't visible to speed, bus lane or low emission zone cameras. Wolverhampton City Council is now among local authorities attempting to crackdown on the use of these plates.

A large operation was recently carried out around England, including in Wolverhampton and Birmingham city centres as well as Manchester Airport, in which over 80 licensed taxis were checked for illegal plates, with one found to be using them. The driver was issued with a £100 fine by police.

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Council officers have now been handed the specialist cameras to be used during patrols. During February and March, a further 10 notices were issued for ghost plates.

It means anyone running the plates on their cars could escape detection from speed cameras and bus lane cameras and be able to avoid fines. Councillor Craig Collingswood, cabinet member for environment and climate change at Wolverhampton City Council, said: "Wolverhampton is leading the way as the first council investing in this state-of-the-art technology to deter and detect offenders.

"Bus lanes are essential for the public transport network to operate efficiently and speed cameras help to keep the public safe from speeding vehicles and reduce the likelihood of a crash. All motorists can expect to pay a fine if found to be using these illegal methods to avoid cameras and taxi drivers licensed by Wolverhampton may have their licence suspended or revoked."

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