Council wardens armed with new ‘smart’ cameras which will identify this driving offence

New specialist cameras are being used by a Midlands council in a bid to catch drivers committing serious road offences. State-of-the-art technology is being deployed to detect so-called “ghost boards”.

It follows concerns about an increase in the use of these reflective infrared number plates, sometimes known as 3D or 4D plates, which are not visible to speed cameras, bus lanes or low emission zones. Wolverhampton City Council is now among the local authorities trying to crack down on the use of these plates.

A large-scale operation was recently carried out around England, including in Wolverhampton and Birmingham city centers as well as Manchester Airport, where more than 80 licensed taxis were checked for illegal plates, one of which was found to be using them. The driver was fined £100 by the police.

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Council officers have now received the specialist cameras for use during patrols. In February and March, another 10 notices were issued for ghost plates.

It means that anyone running the plates on their cars could escape detection by speed cameras and cameras on bus lanes and avoid fines. Councilor Craig Collingswood, cabinet member for environment and climate change at Wolverhampton City Council, said: “Wolverhampton is the first council to invest in this state-of-the-art technology to deter and detect criminals.

“Bus hubs are essential for the public transport network to work efficiently and speed cameras help keep the public safe from speeding vehicles and reduce the likelihood of an accident. All drivers can expect to pay a fine if they are found to be using these illegal methods to avoid the cameras and Wolverhampton licensed taxi drivers can have their license suspended or revoked.”