Police crackdown on illegal number plates

Feb 18 2008

HUNDREDS of motorists were stopped for having illegal number plates during a police crackdown.

Officers from Staffordshire detected 204 offences during 224 stops across the county throughout week-long Operation Larch.

A total of 177 motorists were handed £30 fixed penalty notices and another 26 given two weeks to rectify problems.

Twenty others received warnings for minor breaches.

Operation Larch was launched following concerns by the force, the Department for Transport and the DVLA at the growing use of unlawful registration plates to overcome speed cameras.

Insp Chris Dawson said: "Operation Larch is part of our ongoing commitment to target criminals through their use of the roads.

"It is thought people connected to serious crime are more likely to have illegal plates.

"It is crucial otherwise law-abiding members of the public help us catch serious offenders by making sure their own plates are legal."

The checks by uniformed officers during the campaign took place across the county.

* More information about number plate regulations is available at www. dvla.gov.uk/pdf/ leaflets/v796.pdf