Innocent driver’s shock as police swoop on ‘cloned’ car in Hereford – Hereford Times

THE driver of this smart luxury car in Hereford had a shock when they were surrounded police with dogs.

Officers believed the white Range Rover had been 'cloned' an illegal practice in which criminals copy the identity of another vehicle by stealing or duplicating their registration plates.

Sometimes will then use the cloned vehicle in further crimes or to avoid speeding or parking fines.

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As it turns out, the driver had bought the car believing it to be genuine.

Officers from Hereford's operations patrol group and West Midlands police dogs were involved in the operation.

They said: "The driver got quite a shock. Enquiries are ongoing."

According to the RAC, 1,105 motorists contacted the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in March 2020 to object that their vehicle had been wrongly linked to offences almost twice as many cases as the 656 seen in April 2019.

The DVLA says: Any motorist who believes they have been a victim of number plate cloning should contact the police.

"They should also contact the issuing authority of any fines or penalties they receive with appropriate evidence that shows their vehicle was not in the area at the time.

DVLA enforcement officers assist the police and trading standards in their enforcement against number plate suppliers, including those who trade illegally using the internet.

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Innocent driver's shock as police swoop on 'cloned' car in Hereford - Hereford Times