Dear residents.

Police are noticing many motorists driving their vehicles with number plates that are obscured with dirt and mud. The roads have been particularly bad over recent weeks due to the salt and bad weather; however, motorists need to be mindful of this and ensure the number plate can be readable. While it's not an offence to have a dirty car, by law, number plates need to be legible for police and automated systems, such as ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras. 

If your vehicle is stolen, it makes it extremely difficult for police to locate it and reunite it with it's rightful owner. If the vehicle is involved in a road traffic collision, it makes it challenging to trace.

To avoid being stopped, or face fines and penalties, it is vitally important to regularly clean your vehicles number plate, particularly during bad weather or when you’ve driven though mud or dirt. 

If you drive with an obscured plate, you could be faced with a fine of up to £1,000. In more serious cases, or where the driver is a repeat offender, this could result in further penalties. 

Please remember, wipe your plate or face a fine. 

For further advice/ information, please email us at: Nedge.snt@westmercia.police.uk