In 2026, plate thefts jumped by a staggering 30%. That’s thousands of missing rectangles. Police are baffled but amused.
London leads the charge, obviously. But even sleepy villages report “ghost plates” appearing overnight. It’s a national epidemic of petty villainy.
One police officer told me: “It’s like someone stole your face, but only your nose. And then used your nose to buy kebabs.”
The Hardware Store Solution
Car manufacturers are laughing all the way to the bank. Their plates pop off with a single twist. It’s designed for easy replacement, not security.
Police Urge Ipswich Drivers to Secure Number Plates with Anti-Theft
Thieves exploit this. They’re not strong; they’re just twisty. A five-second job. Faster than making toast.
So, the fix is gloriously low-brow. Buy anti-theft screws from any hardware store. They look like normal screws, but they require a special bit. Villains hate them.
Some drivers use adhesive. Others superglue the bolts. One bloke in Bristol used zip ties. It’s ugly, but it works.
