Panorama (1953) : 74x29

It’s estimated that millions of vehicles on Britain's roads are using illegal number plates designed to evade cameras and avoid detection. Rahil Sheikh reveals how cloned and ghost number plates are leaving innocent motorists facing fines, debt collection threats and years of stress, while dangerous drivers and organised criminals exploit weaknesses in a system relied upon by police and road safety authorities. While police warn that illegal plates are becoming an increasing threat to road safety, Panorama meets families whose lives have been devastated by drivers using cloned or ghost plates, including victims of hit-and-run incidents and dangerous driving. The programme looks at why enforcement has struggled to keep pace and asks whether Britain's number plate system is fit for purpose.