THIEVES are cashing in
on the fuel crisis by
stealing car number
plates in a bid to make
off with petrol from
Hampshire forecourts.
Police are now investigating
cases of stolen licence plates,
which they believe could have
been removed by thieves to put on
other vehicles that are then being
used to steal petrol from garages.
They are now urging drivers to
be aware of the latest scam that
they say could become more common
due to escalating fuel costs.
A police spokesman said: "These
criminals steal licence plates to
put on their own cars and fill up at
a petrol station and drive off without
paying.
"Most garages have CCTV that
record car number plates as they
are using the pumps, the perpetrators
know we won't be able to
trace it back to them and they
won't be the one getting prosecuted."
The spokesman added that they
expected to see more cases of drivers
leaving forecourts without
paying, known as bilking', should
the petrol price crisis deepen.
One victim of number-plate
theft is Hampshire car salesman
Malcolm Mathews.
The 65-year-old from Chandler's
Ford the Daily Echo: "I couldn't
understand why these criminals
just steal my number plate and
nothing else.
The theft of Mr Mathews'
licence plate from his Seat Leon
happened in the middle of the day
and in a busy area.
It has prompted police to urge
motorists to contact them if they
see anyone acting suspiciously
and to take extra security measures
to protect their vehicles.
They are also investigating more
cases of fuel being siphoned from
vehicles and are urging lorry drivers
in particular to increase security
of their vehicles that can cost
up to £1,000 to fill with fuel.
The Government is coming
under increasing pressure to cut
the price of fuel after the cost rose
20 per cent since the start of the
year.
Motorists in Hampshire are regularly
paying more than £1.16 a
litre for petrol and around £1.30
for diesel.
The issue has prompted a number
of protests across the country
including Hampshire where farmers
took to the roads in their tractors
to highlight the impact of
high fuel costs on their livelihoods.
Anyone with information about
fuel theft crimes can contact
Hampshire police on 0845 045 4545
or contact Crimestoppers anonymously
on 0800 555 111.
See the full story in today's Daily Echo.
11:58am Monday 7th July 2008
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CommentPosted by: hulla, baloo on 9:41am Mon 7 Jul 08
Police in Hampshire have now launched an investigation into a spate of number plate thefts across the county"
But not the stolen fuel?
Police in Hampshire have now launched an investigation into a spate of number plate thefts across the county"
But not the stolen fuel?
Posted by: Fred on 9:58am Mon 7 Jul 08
Stealing or cloning the plates?
Stealing or cloning the plates?
Posted by: Bambi on 10:14am Mon 7 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Fred[/bold] wrote:
Stealing or cloning the plates?[/quote] I think the clue is the repeated use of the word "stealing".
Fred wrote:
Stealing or cloning the plates?
I think the clue is the repeated use of the word "stealing".
Posted by: In the know on 10:32am Mon 7 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Bambi[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Fred[/bold] wrote: Stealing or cloning the plates?[/quote] I think the clue is the repeated use of the word "stealing".[/quote] I think you will find the Echo actually means cloning. I am sure their printed edition will be corrected.
Bambi wrote:
Fred wrote: Stealing or cloning the plates?
I think the clue is the repeated use of the word "stealing".
I think you will find the Echo actually means cloning. I am sure their printed edition will be corrected.
Posted by: Osama Bin Laden, A Cave far far away on 10:35am Mon 7 Jul 08
My number Plate is
IAM6 ****
Steel that
My number Plate is
IAM6 ****
Steel that
Posted by: DVLA on 10:39am Mon 7 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Osama Bin Laden[/bold] wrote:
My number Plate is IAM6 **** Steel that[/quote] Database encountered incorrectly formatted data {index number too long}
Osama Bin Laden wrote:
My number Plate is IAM6 **** Steel that
Database encountered incorrectly formatted data {index number too long}
Posted by: hulla, baloo on 10:48am Mon 7 Jul 08
[quote][bold]In the know[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Bambi[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Fred[/bold] wrote: Stealing or cloning the plates?[/quote] I think the clue is the repeated use of the word "stealing".[/quote] I think you will find the Echo actually means cloning. I am sure their printed edition will be corrected. [/quote] I think stealing is correct.
1st paragraph "stealing" and 2nd paragraph "putting the stolen licence plates on to cars"
Why would thieves go the trouble of having plates made when they can pinch them off cars?
In the know wrote:
Bambi wrote: Fred wrote: Stealing or cloning the plates?
I think the clue is the repeated use of the word "stealing".
I think you will find the Echo actually means cloning. I am sure their printed edition will be corrected.
I think stealing is correct.
1st paragraph "stealing" and 2nd paragraph "putting the stolen licence plates on to cars"
Why would thieves go the trouble of having plates made when they can pinch them off cars?
Posted by: Big Vern on 10:52am Mon 7 Jul 08
[quote][bold]hulla[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]In the know[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Bambi[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Fred[/bold] wrote: Stealing or cloning the plates?[/quote] I think the clue is the repeated use of the word "stealing".[/quote] I think you will find the Echo actually means cloning. I am sure their printed edition will be corrected. [/quote] I think stealing is correct.
1st paragraph "stealing" and 2nd paragraph "putting the stolen licence plates on to cars"
Why would thieves go the trouble of having plates made when they can pinch them off cars?[/quote] Because someone will notice their number plate is missing, and report it, hence that number plate will be on a "hot list" very quickly, whereas cloned ones, the owner is none the wiser and the plates can be used for longer before they're known about
hulla wrote:
In the know wrote:
Bambi wrote: Fred wrote: Stealing or cloning the plates?
I think the clue is the repeated use of the word "stealing".
I think you will find the Echo actually means cloning. I am sure their printed edition will be corrected.
I think stealing is correct.
1st paragraph "stealing" and 2nd paragraph "putting the stolen licence plates on to cars"
Why would thieves go the trouble of having plates made when they can pinch them off cars?
Because someone will notice their number plate is missing, and report it, hence that number plate will be on a "hot list" very quickly, whereas cloned ones, the owner is none the wiser and the plates can be used for longer before they're known about
Posted by: hulla, baloo on 11:15am Mon 7 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Big Vern[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]hulla[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]In the know[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Bambi[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Fred[/bold] wrote: Stealing or cloning the plates?[/quote] I think the clue is the repeated use of the word "stealing".[/quote] I think you will find the Echo actually means cloning. I am sure their printed edition will be corrected. [/quote] I think stealing is correct. 1st paragraph "stealing" and 2nd paragraph "putting the stolen licence plates on to cars" Why would thieves go the trouble of having plates made when they can pinch them off cars?[/quote] Because someone will notice their number plate is missing, and report it, hence that number plate will be on a "hot list" very quickly, whereas cloned ones, the owner is none the wiser and the plates can be used for longer before they're known about[/quote] Possibly,
But the chances are the stolen plates would have been put on a car, and used in a crime, then removed within a short space of time.
As for cloned plates, will probably only get away with it once. Unless car is totally identical,as soon as garage reports crime to police, they will know the licence plates do not tally with cars description.
Big Vern wrote:
hulla wrote: In the know wrote: Bambi wrote: Fred wrote: Stealing or cloning the plates?
I think the clue is the repeated use of the word "stealing".
I think you will find the Echo actually means cloning. I am sure their printed edition will be corrected.
I think stealing is correct. 1st paragraph "stealing" and 2nd paragraph "putting the stolen licence plates on to cars" Why would thieves go the trouble of having plates made when they can pinch them off cars?
Because someone will notice their number plate is missing, and report it, hence that number plate will be on a "hot list" very quickly, whereas cloned ones, the owner is none the wiser and the plates can be used for longer before they're known about
Possibly,
But the chances are the stolen plates would have been put on a car, and used in a crime, then removed within a short space of time.
As for cloned plates, will probably only get away with it once. Unless car is totally identical,as soon as garage reports crime to police, they will know the licence plates do not tally with cars description.
Posted by: mr plate, romsey on 11:19am Mon 7 Jul 08
they steal the number plates of the vehicles because nowdays you have to or should do by law provide a number plate provider relavent documnents to get a plate made,so its easier for them to steal the plate.
they steal the number plates of the vehicles because nowdays you have to or should do by law provide a number plate provider relavent documnents to get a plate made,so its easier for them to steal the plate.
Posted by: Adrian Smith on 11:52am Mon 7 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Big Vern[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]hulla[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]In the know[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Bambi[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Fred[/bold] wrote: Stealing or cloning the plates?[/quote] I think the clue is the repeated use of the word "stealing".[/quote] I think you will find the Echo actually means cloning. I am sure their printed edition will be corrected. [/quote] I think stealing is correct. 1st paragraph "stealing" and 2nd paragraph "putting the stolen licence plates on to cars" Why would thieves go the trouble of having plates made when they can pinch them off cars?[/quote] Because someone will notice their number plate is missing, and report it, hence that number plate will be on a "hot list" very quickly, whereas cloned ones, the owner is none the wiser and the plates can be used for longer before they're known about[/quote] This certainly used to be the best way to perform this fraud.
Our own car was cloned and the Police even called me once to tell me it had been found in Portsmouth, describing the same car model etc. Ours was on the drive in Southampton. The cloned vehicle had avoided parking and fuel payments it seemed for some time.
Big Vern wrote:
hulla wrote: In the know wrote: Bambi wrote: Fred wrote: Stealing or cloning the plates?
I think the clue is the repeated use of the word "stealing".
I think you will find the Echo actually means cloning. I am sure their printed edition will be corrected.
I think stealing is correct. 1st paragraph "stealing" and 2nd paragraph "putting the stolen licence plates on to cars" Why would thieves go the trouble of having plates made when they can pinch them off cars?
Because someone will notice their number plate is missing, and report it, hence that number plate will be on a "hot list" very quickly, whereas cloned ones, the owner is none the wiser and the plates can be used for longer before they're known about
This certainly used to be the best way to perform this fraud.
Our own car was cloned and the Police even called me once to tell me it had been found in Portsmouth, describing the same car model etc. Ours was on the drive in Southampton. The cloned vehicle had avoided parking and fuel payments it seemed for some time.
Posted by: Bambi on 11:57am Mon 7 Jul 08
[quote][bold]In the know[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Bambi[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Fred[/bold] wrote: Stealing or cloning the plates?[/quote] I think the clue is the repeated use of the word "stealing".[/quote] I think you will find the Echo actually means cloning. I am sure their printed edition will be corrected.
[/quote] Crikey, ITK, you look like a bit of an idiot now, don't you?
In the know wrote:
Bambi wrote:
Fred wrote: Stealing or cloning the plates?
I think the clue is the repeated use of the word "stealing".
I think you will find the Echo actually means cloning. I am sure their printed edition will be corrected.
Crikey, ITK, you look like a bit of an idiot now, don't you?
Posted by: crashley, here on the internet on 12:03pm Mon 7 Jul 08
There are also many web sites that you can buy 'road legal' plates that you DO NOT have to provide your documents for!!!
There are also many web sites that you can buy 'road legal' plates that you DO NOT have to provide your documents for!!!
Posted by: Matt, soton on 12:25pm Mon 7 Jul 08
Why can't people grow up and realise that Fuel is never to come down and get on with better things than being sad gits and nicking number plates. GROW UP PEOPLE....
Why can't people grow up and realise that Fuel is never to come down and get on with better things than being sad gits and nicking number plates. GROW UP PEOPLE....
Posted by: Sophie's Choice!, Soton on 12:36pm Mon 7 Jul 08
Does anyone know how we are supposed to protect the outside of our vehicle when its parked? A lady who lives near me had her plates stolen - now i know why they got stolen! Maybe i could put an alarm on my plates incase they get removed!
Does anyone know how we are supposed to protect the outside of our vehicle when its parked? A lady who lives near me had her plates stolen - now i know why they got stolen! Maybe i could put an alarm on my plates incase they get removed!
Posted by: Christoff on 12:54pm Mon 7 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Sophie's Choice![/bold] wrote:
Does anyone know how we are supposed to protect the outside of our vehicle when its parked? A lady who lives near me had her plates stolen - now i know why they got stolen! Maybe i could put an alarm on my plates incase they get removed! [/quote] There is not a lot you can do...I had some scallywag trying to steal petrol from my car...luckily he didn't have any luck but I reckon there will be a lot more 'rubber tubing' going on and failing that, cutting the fuel pipes.
Thieving gits
Sophie's Choice! wrote:
Does anyone know how we are supposed to protect the outside of our vehicle when its parked? A lady who lives near me had her plates stolen - now i know why they got stolen! Maybe i could put an alarm on my plates incase they get removed!
There is not a lot you can do...I had some scallywag trying to steal petrol from my car...luckily he didn't have any luck but I reckon there will be a lot more 'rubber tubing' going on and failing that, cutting the fuel pipes.
Thieving gits
Posted by: Doh! on 12:54pm Mon 7 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Sophie's Choice![/bold] wrote:
Does anyone know how we are supposed to protect the outside of our vehicle when its parked? A lady who lives near me had her plates stolen - now i know why they got stolen! Maybe i could put an alarm on my plates incase they get removed! [/quote] I find standing in front of the car with a shotgun seems to deter people away...
Having thought about it... the postman, milkman and those pesky election people haven't been by recently either....
Sophie's Choice! wrote:
Does anyone know how we are supposed to protect the outside of our vehicle when its parked? A lady who lives near me had her plates stolen - now i know why they got stolen! Maybe i could put an alarm on my plates incase they get removed!
I find standing in front of the car with a shotgun seems to deter people away...
Having thought about it... the postman, milkman and those pesky election people haven't been by recently either....
Posted by: Ciaran on 1:00pm Mon 7 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Sophie's Choice![/bold] wrote:
Does anyone know how we are supposed to protect the outside of our vehicle when its parked? A lady who lives near me had her plates stolen - now i know why they got stolen! Maybe i could put an alarm on my plates incase they get removed! [/quote] You can get number plates that disintegrate when removed from the car.
Sophie's Choice! wrote:
Does anyone know how we are supposed to protect the outside of our vehicle when its parked? A lady who lives near me had her plates stolen - now i know why they got stolen! Maybe i could put an alarm on my plates incase they get removed!
You can get number plates that disintegrate when removed from the car.
Posted by: In the know on 1:06pm Mon 7 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Bambi[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]In the know[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Bambi[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Fred[/bold] wrote: Stealing or cloning the plates?[/quote] I think the clue is the repeated use of the word "stealing".[/quote] I think you will find the Echo actually means cloning. I am sure their printed edition will be corrected. [/quote] Crikey, ITK, you look like a bit of an idiot now, don't you?[/quote] Yep. Can't argue with you on that one.
Bambi wrote:
In the know wrote: Bambi wrote: Fred wrote: Stealing or cloning the plates?
I think the clue is the repeated use of the word "stealing".
I think you will find the Echo actually means cloning. I am sure their printed edition will be corrected.
Crikey, ITK, you look like a bit of an idiot now, don't you?
Yep. Can't argue with you on that one.
Posted by: George on 2:49pm Mon 7 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Ciaran[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Sophie's Choice![/bold] wrote:
Does anyone know how we are supposed to protect the outside of our vehicle when its parked? A lady who lives near me had her plates stolen - now i know why they got stolen! Maybe i could put an alarm on my plates incase they get removed! [/quote] You can get number plates that disintegrate when removed from the car.[/quote] How will that help? You'd still be left without number plates
Ciaran wrote:
Sophie's Choice! wrote:
Does anyone know how we are supposed to protect the outside of our vehicle when its parked? A lady who lives near me had her plates stolen - now i know why they got stolen! Maybe i could put an alarm on my plates incase they get removed!
You can get number plates that disintegrate when removed from the car.
How will that help? You'd still be left without number plates
Posted by: Redfield, Winchester on 2:56pm Mon 7 Jul 08
take extra security measures to protect their vehicles.
So how do I stop people stealing the No plate when it's parked in a car park??
take extra security measures to protect their vehicles.
So how do I stop people stealing the No plate when it's parked in a car park??
Posted by: Copy Boy on 3:08pm Mon 7 Jul 08
Another good idea exclusively revealed by the Echo to help its readers
Another good idea exclusively revealed by the Echo to help its readers
Posted by: Kathy, Work on 3:12pm Mon 7 Jul 08
I had my plates stolen and when I went into the local garage the alarms went off and the manager came out to my car and showed me a picture of my plates on a little red car. Apparently it had filled up with fuel and sodded off. I now have my plates screwed on the car with anti theft screws from Halfords
I had my plates stolen and when I went into the local garage the alarms went off and the manager came out to my car and showed me a picture of my plates on a little red car. Apparently it had filled up with fuel and sodded off. I now have my plates screwed on the car with anti theft screws from Halfords
Posted by: i know best, dorset on 6:48pm Mon 7 Jul 08
Could i suggest that people take there number plates off there cars when they park.
Could i suggest that people take there number plates off there cars when they park.
Posted by: peter Warburton, Romsey on 7:17pm Mon 7 Jul 08
Why don't garages adopt the American system where customers pay for the fuel first and then put the fuel into the car
Why don't garages adopt the American system where customers pay for the fuel first and then put the fuel into the car
Posted by: Bambi on 7:50pm Mon 7 Jul 08
[quote][bold]i know best[/bold] wrote:
Could i suggest that people take there number plates off there cars when they park.[/quote] No, you can't suggest that
i know best wrote:
Could i suggest that people take there number plates off there cars when they park.
No, you can't suggest that
Posted by: Gilmore, Shirley, Southampton on 8:36pm Mon 7 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Bambi[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]i know best[/bold] wrote:
Could i suggest that people take there number plates off there cars when they park.[/quote] No, you can't suggest that[/quote] I agree. IKB's right to suggestion is hereby revoked.
In fact that goes for everyone. No more suggestions. Ever.
Bambi wrote:
i know best wrote:
Could i suggest that people take there number plates off there cars when they park.
No, you can't suggest that
I agree. IKB's right to suggestion is hereby revoked.
In fact that goes for everyone. No more suggestions. Ever.
Posted by: c on 8:48pm Mon 7 Jul 08
[quote][bold]peter Warburton[/bold] wrote:
Why don't garages adopt the American system where customers pay for the fuel first and then put the fuel into the car[/quote] Yeah good idea, or pay at the pump.
peter Warburton wrote:
Why don't garages adopt the American system where customers pay for the fuel first and then put the fuel into the car
Yeah good idea, or pay at the pump.
Posted by: del boy trotter, peckham on 10:30pm Mon 7 Jul 08
[bold]cloning/stealing plate plonkers ![/bold]
i have had people clone my number plates & even clone my car ,
theres quite a few yellow 3 wheeled reliant robins out there with TROTTERS INDEPENDENT TRADERS on them.
it's like i am quite popular or something.
lmfao
cloning/stealing plate plonkers !
i have had people clone my number plates & even clone my car ,
theres quite a few yellow 3 wheeled reliant robins out there with TROTTERS INDEPENDENT TRADERS on them.
it's like i am quite popular or something.
lmfao
Posted by: Derek, Dibden Purlieu on 11:12pm Mon 7 Jul 08
[quote][bold]peter Warburton[/bold] wrote:
Why don't garages adopt the American system where customers pay for the fuel first and then put the fuel into the car[/quote] It's a practice adopted in the US equivalents of Millbrook and Townhill Park. Some areas adopt the practice of not accepting $50.00 bills but neither practice extends to the vast majority of the country.
peter Warburton wrote:
Why don't garages adopt the American system where customers pay for the fuel first and then put the fuel into the car
It's a practice adopted in the US equivalents of Millbrook and Townhill Park. Some areas adopt the practice of not accepting $50.00 bills but neither practice extends to the vast majority of the country.
Posted by: paul b on 12:14am Tue 8 Jul 08
Tag the unemployed with gps trackers, we can them determine where they are at times crimes are commited
Tag the unemployed with gps trackers, we can them determine where they are at times crimes are commited
Posted by: US Spitfire, Idaho USA on 4:53am Tue 8 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Derek[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]peter Warburton[/bold] wrote: Why don't garages adopt the American system where customers pay for the fuel first and then put the fuel into the car[/quote] It's a practice adopted in the US equivalents of Millbrook and Townhill Park. Some areas adopt the practice of not accepting $50.00 bills but neither practice extends to the vast majority of the country. [/quote] Sorry, but you are wrong. It's not just the "equivalents of Millbrook and Townhill Park" that have implemented this.
Now that we are having the same fuel price crisis with gas costing $4.15 a gallon, virtually every gas station over here now has pay before you pump or people to pump your gas for you.
Derek wrote:
peter Warburton wrote: Why don't garages adopt the American system where customers pay for the fuel first and then put the fuel into the car
It's a practice adopted in the US equivalents of Millbrook and Townhill Park. Some areas adopt the practice of not accepting $50.00 bills but neither practice extends to the vast majority of the country.
Sorry, but you are wrong. It's not just the "equivalents of Millbrook and Townhill Park" that have implemented this.
Now that we are having the same fuel price crisis with gas costing $4.15 a gallon, virtually every gas station over here now has pay before you pump or people to pump your gas for you.
Posted by: King Mush, Woolston on 8:00pm Tue 8 Jul 08
[quote][bold]peter Warburton[/bold] wrote:
Why don't garages adopt the American system where customers pay for the fuel first and then put the fuel into the car[/quote] Why dont garages adopt the American system where thieves get shot on the forecourt?
peter Warburton wrote:
Why don't garages adopt the American system where customers pay for the fuel first and then put the fuel into the car
Why dont garages adopt the American system where thieves get shot on the forecourt?
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