Why do people airbrush their registration plates

[Spiney]

Might be a dumb question but I was wondering why, when posting pictures, most go to the trouble of airbrushing out the number plates.

Are all the Roc's here nicked then

[Rising_SiD]

Haha, no I think its down to car cloning. To be honest not sure, just do it the same as other people!

[Scirocket]

I do this myself.

Main reason is the cloning of number plates has become more and more common in recent years. Criminals basically copy your number plate, have their own plates made up displaying your registration number and put them on a car of the same make/model/colour. They'll use it in a crime and who do the police come looking for? Yep, you've guessed it. It's what the police refer to as 'ringing'.

Another reason is that in the right hands, it may be possible to obtain an address for the registered keeper of the vehicle from its registration and subsequently find out where it is likely to be stored over night. If it's desirable and in demand, bye bye car.

[chojin]

I do this myself.

Main reason is the cloning of number plates has become more and more common in recent years. Criminals basically copy your number plate, have their own plates made up displaying your registration number and put them on a car of the same make/model/colour. They'll use it in a crime and who do the police come looking for? Yep, you've guessed it. It's what the police refer to as 'ringing'.

Another reason is that in the right hands, it may be possible to obtain an address for the registered keeper of the vehicle from its registration and subsequently find out where it is likely to be stored over night. If it's desirable and in demand, bye bye car.

Yeah, what he said

[ZephyR]

Yep, that's what I've heard. With common cars a thief will spot a model of the right make and colour quite quickly by just driving round.
Bit harder with Rocs as there's so few on the roads - I've not seen one all week this week. So don't make it easy for them by posting pics with your reg showing on the internet

[youvebinaced]

hmmm i should probably hide my plate when i post pics but i really can't be bothered obviously i would be screwing if someone stole my car, but my spare set of keys are not kept at my address and my other set are always on me

[kianok]

Not a big issue these days, theives have moved on a bit.

[Spiney]

Hmm

Must make up a set of covers so they don't spot me when I'm parked or driving around then

[chr15]

I can't be bothered with it, I have had a plate cloned before on a van and never posted pictures. It will happen anyway.

[irocc]

Car registrations and forum stickers can be used in investigations if the police think you are at fault in an accident
What you type in forum threads may be used against you in a court of law

[daz3031]

What you type in forum threads may be used against you in a court of law

I always drive sensibly and never ever break the speed limit

[Scirocket]

There are a host of reasons as to why it's sensible, the web is so vast you have no idea who will look at your stuff, why or what they will do with your information.

By hosting that sort of info on the web, you're making life easier for them. Nobody is suggesting the above technique will be revolutionary in stopping crime, but why leave yourself open to it?

Bottom line is that if you can't be bothered, then don't, but for the sake of 30 seconds in photoshop (select, pipette, delete, fill) I'll continue to do it.

Simple.

[rehmondo]

I do it for the cloning thing - you can obviously dispute a speeding fine if your hundreds of miles away but do you want the hassle?

[Nasher]

Have always done it as a matter of course......but when we have pics of both cars it looks better coz his reads 'N08'... :shock:

[kianok]

I think the only real value in doing it is a privacy issue. Not sure if its still the same but you used to be able to apply to the DVLA with a registration number and basic car details and (for a small fee) they would tell you who the registered keeper is, so long as the reasons you were requesting the details are valid.

EDIT: you can still do it for a grand sum of £2.50.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Ow ... DG_4022067" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[lancs_lad]

There are a host of reasons as to why it's sensible, the web is so vast you have no idea who will look at your stuff, why or what they will do with your information.

By hosting that sort of info on the web, you're making life easier for them. Nobody is suggesting the above technique will be revolutionary in stopping crime, but why leave yourself open to it?

Bottom line is that if you can't be bothered, then don't, but for the sake of 30 seconds in photoshop (select, pipette, delete, fill) I'll continue to do it.

Simple.

Spot on. I also know that a number of people in the congestion charge areas are doing this. They search the internet for a car similar to theirs, have plates made up and drive in and out of the congestion charge area on false plates. Saves them a small fortune with very little chance of getting caught provided they change the numbers evry now and again.

It causes loads of hassle for the victims. As above why make life easy for the criminals?

[scottyroc]

personally i dont bother, seems a little overkill to me, like someone else said..i too had a car plate cloned and that car never appeared on the internet, police came to question me, told them it was'nt me and i did'nt have a clue what they we're on about, never saw the police again..sorted.

All said, i can see why people want to protect info thesedays, i just cant be bothered...tut tut me.

[robmx]

Same here, I can understand why people do it, but I just can't be bothered, plus it makes the photos look rubbish.

[chr15]

personally i dont bother, seems a little overkill to me, like someone else said..i too had a car plate cloned and that car never appeared on the internet, police came to question me, told them it was'nt me and i did'nt have a clue what they we're on about, never saw the police again..sorted.

All said, i can see why people want to protect info thesedays, i just cant be bothered...tut tut me.

Atleast yours wasn't used for something more serious and the first thing you knew about it was when the police came to the house at 6.30am and kindly took you to the station for the next 17 hours.

[scottyroc]

ouch...17 hours it really is crazy is'nt..

its like you say though, i assume that was in you van which had never been posted online, so it happens without pictures.