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National Numbers Articles

Foreign Cars Responsible for Millions Lost in Unpaid Tickets

January 10, 2011
Posted in Number Plates — Written by matthew.smith

It has been revealed that millions of pounds are being lost every year when foreign cars fail to pay their parking tickets.

Scottish councils are losing out due to thousands of parking tickets going unpaid by foreign registered vehicles that can’t be traced.

Local authorities are finding it impossible to recoup the owed money, with the foreign law breakers ignoring the tickets.

Some councils attempt to reclaim the money, but many choose not to waste any time on it.

Strathclyde Police have revealed that tickets issued to foreign vehicles are written off automatically, as number plates that haven’t been registered with the DVLA can’t be processed.

A staggering £233,993.70 was written off by Edinburgh City Council for the 2008/09 financial year because of unpaid parking fines on foreign-registered vehicles.

“There are a number of reasons why a parking ticket could be written off. It could be because the driver cannot be traced or it could also be because signs or road markings were missing,” a spokeswoman revealed.

A further 89 parking fines totalling £2670 went unpaid by foreign-registered vehicles since April 2008 in the Fife Council region.

A representative for Fife Council explained: “St Andrews, in Fife, has a higher rate of offences, and foreign drivers, due to the world-famous Old Links Golf Course.”

According to Strathclyde Police, 254 parking tickets went unpaid by foreign-registered vehicles, totalling £7560.

“When notification that a foreign-registered vehicle has received a parking ticket is received by our central processing department, it is automatically cancelled,” a representative for Strathclyde Police revealed.

“The tickets are unable to be processed through the system if the car is not registered with the DVLA.

“However, in certain circumstances, we will trace the vehicle and owner within their country of residence.”

There are thousands of personalised registrations available to choose from, but finding the right one for you can be difficult.

National Numbers have over 10 years experience in getting people the number plates they want.

Call the experts at National Numbers on 01642 363738.

Former Boxing Champion Jailed for Speeding

December 12, 2010
Posted in Number Plates — Written by matthew.smith

Former British heavyweight boxing champion, Matt Skelton, has been sentenced to five months in prison after lying to police.

Police spoke to Skelton after his car was caught speeding. with Skelton explaining that it wasn’t him, but a car valet called “Brian Williams”.

With police unable to locate a Brian Williams, Skelton was placed under arrest, and subsequently admitted to three counts of perverting the course of justice.

Unimpressed with Skelton’s behaviour, Judge Hawkesworth told how he found Skelton to be “arrogant;” believing himself to be “above the law.”

Skelton’s Porsche, equipped with personalised number plates, was found to have been travelling at 44mph in a 30mph zone in the November of 2006, and 37mph in a 30mph zone and 41mph in a 30mph zone in August 2008.

Skelton had even provided a false address for “Brian Williams.”

Judge Hawkesworth appeared to be disappointed by Skelton’s behaviour, revealing how he ”set an example” to show “no-one is above the law.”

“You are a role model to the public, particularly in Bedford and Bedfordshire, and you knew that you were,” Judge Hawkesworth continued.

“One deception in your case may be forgivable but not three over a long period of time.

“I accept that you committed these offences in an arrogant manner.

“I take the view that you committed these offences because, in your own view of your own status, you were above the law.

“The fact that there was no need for you to do what you did emphasises what a cynical offence this was.”

Skelton was handed a five-month jail sentence for his collective crimes, with the possibility of the sentence being halved.

To get a unique personalised registration you can be really proud of, contact the experts at National Numbers, on 01642 363738.

Facebook Training for Police

October 31, 2010
Posted in Number Plates — Written by matthew.smith

Police are to be trained in the tracking of suspects via social networking sites, such as Facebook, as part of a new training initiative.

The additions to the training schedule will include how to acquire evidence from computers and mobile phones, plus taking advantage of social media websites to gather information.

According to the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA), the changes are needed to adapt policing to modern day challenges.

The additions will impact approximately 3,500 students each year as they take the NPIA’s Initial Crime Investigators Development Programme.

The students will also be taught how to collect information from CCTV, National Footwear Reference Collection images, financial data such as bank statements and cash machines, and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology.

Nick Gargan, deputy chief constable and chief executive of NPIA, is confident that the changes were crucial in adding modern day skills and address the “challenges and complexities of modern policing.”

“This programme is a vital part of the career pathway for detectives and the new training covers sensitive areas of policing where limited guidance existed previously,” chief constable Gargan continued.

“The changes underline the importance to having a national agency to provide guidance and train detectives to a single high standard so they can work on investigations in any part of the country and give their colleagues and the public the best quality service in fighting crime.”

Often the subject of criticism for the lack of funding towards the investigation of online fraud and technological crimes, Met Police’s Police Central e-Crime Unit can expect to see a 30% cut as a part of government attempts to slash the defecit.

There are thousands of personalised registrations that would suit you and your car perfectly.

Contact the experts at National Numbers on 01642 363738, and let their friendly staff help you every step of the way.

Have Android? Try our Free Number Plate Search App!

October 27, 2010
Posted in Android Search App, Number Plates — Written by Helen

Do you have an Android Smartphone? We have done it yet again with another first in the number plate industry - a number plate search app for Android Smartphones.

You can download it completely free of charge from the Android Market. Just search for ‘number plates’.

Just like our iPhone number plate search app and Facebook number plate search app, the new Android app allows you to search for your ideal number plate any time and any place. It’s a fun and fast way to find personalised registrations on the move.

Eric Craggs, Chairman of National Numbers said, “We have always strived to make our vast database available to everyone, wherever they are. Launching a new app to cater for Android users is a new way to bring number plates to the most popular mobile devices”.

Just like our other apps, the new Android app makes use of National Numbers massive database of over 30 million personalised registrations, and is updated in real time to ensure the freshest registrations are available.

You can literally search for anything: your name, initials, or any number can be searched for; with a search taking less than five seconds. You can also browse up to 30 categories of number plates, such as Cheap, Funny, Car, Football, Irish, and Rude; with number plates available from 1903 through to the present day.

How it Works

  • Tap on the number plate to start a new search
  • You can enter anything: your name, initials, car, pet, etc
  • Or choose a category for some fantastic suggestions
  • A list of suggested number plates will be displayed along with prices
  • Choose a number plate to view or enquire
  • Don’t forget you can tap ‘Call Us’ at any time to speak to a friendly sales advisor

How to Download the App
Visit the Android Market on your phone and search for ‘number plates’, or see our Android App page.

Searching for number plates on the Android app

Motorist’s Number Plates ‘Invisible’ to Speed Cameras

October 13, 2010
Posted in Number Plates — Written by matthew.smith

A UK motorist has been charged and convicted of using number plates which were undetectable by speed cameras.

John Massaro, 55, of Westhoughton near Bolton, had the number plates fixed on his Jaguar car when he was stopped by police.

Speaking in front of Bolton Magistrates Court, Massaro declared that he was unaware he was breaking the law by using the plates.

The number plates at fault are specially designed to evade detection by speed cameras.

Massaro was originally stopped by a traffic police officer and given a fixed penalty notice of £60, but feeling hard done by, he contested the fine and took it to court.

Just prior to the court case beginning, Massaro changed his plea to guilty, but criticised the manner in which the penalty was issued, suggesting that he should have been given a warning and sufficient time to replace the number plates.

The court heard that Massaro had personalised registrations with raised lettering, which prevents detection by speed cameras.

Glenn Anderton, prosecuting in the case, revealed: “These are the carbon graphite type of plates.

“The difficulty is if someone is driving at night and a camera goes off, they are difficult to read.”

Mussaro protested the accusation, claiming that when he bought the number plates, he was completely unaware that they were illegal and felt as though he should have been given time to rectify the problem.

“I had a son doing a turn in Afghanistan at the time. My son’s out there and I am being treated like this for something so trivial,” he complained.

Mussaro was fined £35 and £35 in prosecution costs, plus a £15 victim surcharge.

To get a personalised registration of your own, talk to the experts at National Numbers, on 01642 363738.

National Numbers have been helping people to get the number plate they want for over ten years.

UK Police Looking for Motorists to ‘Snitch’ on Bad Drivers

September 19, 2010
Posted in Number Plates — Written by matthew.smith

Police are looking for motorists to inform them of bad drivers on UK roads.

Those seen to be guilty of making too much noise or driving inconsiderately will be reported to the police under the new scheme.

Some people are deeply concerned by the idea, fearing that those who hold vendettas against others may take advantage of the scheme.

Complaints will be logged in a police database and checked against the DVLA database.

Those who are reported twice within twelve months will face action by the police as ‘repeat offenders’, even though they haven’t been caught breaking the law.

Guilty parties may receive a letter in the post or a visit from a police officer.

Accusations will be made through an online system, and the pilot scheme in Sussex has already seen over 20,000 reports, with over 2,500 drivers sent ‘letters of advice’.

Police have defended the scheme, stating that it protects the public, although some have likened it to the German Stasi; a regime known for their encouragement of informing on others.

Subject to its success, the scheme may be employed throughout the country.

Campaign director of Big Brother Watch, Dylan Sharpe is deeply concerned by the idea, revealing that the “whole process is based on unfounded accusations by untrained and possibly prejudiced members of the public.”

He continued: “This scheme is wide-open to abuse; ranging from people with minor grudges against neighbours to busybody drivers who think they know what constitutes bad driving.

“It is the worst example of citizen snooping and clearly doesn’t work. Sussex Police would be advised to stop spending taxpayer’s money promoting this intrusive scheme”

A newsletter called Vibe is promoting the scheme at the taxpayer’s expense.

Get a personalised number plate that you can be proud of.

Just call the experts at National Numbers on 01642 363738, who will help you every step of the way.

Midlands Petrol Station Thefts Double

September 12, 2010
Posted in Number Plates — Written by matthew.smith

The incidents involving theft of petrol from filling stations in the Midlands has doubled in 12 months, according to new data.

It is thought that high priced fuel has forced many drivers to steal from the forecourts.

Between April and August 2010, 2,331 petrol thefts took place, compared with 1,135 thefts for the same period in 2009.

The figures, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, were recorded be West Midlands Police and cover the West Midlands area.

Chief Inspector Matthew Markham believes high fuel prices play a “major part” in the surge of thefts.

Police are working closely with garage owners and fuel companies to find ways of curbing the thefts, with increased levels of both high visibility and undercover policing.

“People who think they can fill up and go without paying will be arrested for the offence, which has previously carried substantial jail sentences,” Cheif Inspector Markham warned.

“Drivers who think they can get away with it should consider the technology that now exists.

“Most garages now have CCTV and the force’s Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) is an added powerful deterrent.”

Many criminals are taking measures to avoid recognition by these advanced technologies.

According to police chiefs, a large amount of thefts take place with fake number plates from stolen cars in an attempt to avoid detection.

Dudley police officers are trying to bring this development to an end by adding tamper proof screws to number plates.

There are thousands of personalised number plates to choose from, but it’s often difficult to know where to start.

Give National Numbers a call on 01642 363738.

Their expert advisers have spent over 10 years helping people to get the personalised registration they’ve always wanted, at a price they can’t believe!

Unique Facebook App Helps Users Find Personalised Registrations

September 10, 2010
Posted in Facebook App, Number Plates — Written by Helen

The National Numbers Facebook App is waiting to help you find your ideal personal number plate! Our Number Plates App is one of the fastest and most convenient ways to search for number plates online, directly from Facebook, and linking in to our database of millions of number plates.

The intelligent and accurate App automatically searches over 30 million number plates right from Facebook. You don’t even need to enter a search term to find number plates based on your name. The search is quick and accurate; allowing you to find the number plate you’ll love.

The convenient interface lets you see how your reg would look on a real plate. Thirty of the top results are displayed right from the App, along with prices, and buttons to help you complete the next step.

Search for number plates on Facebook

You can Preview, Enquire, or Purchase the number plate on the National Numbers web site using links from the page. It’s really easy and works just like Facebook! Try the Share button to post a personalised registration to your profile, or send it to your friends using the messaging facility.

Share your registration with friends and family

You can also send up to twelve number plates suggestions suitable for a spouse, partner, or a friend, by suggesting the App to them via the page.

Send personalised suggestions to Facebook friends

If you like the App, why not share it with your friends who also love number plates? It’s a great way of sharing your excitement and getting your friends opinions on your potential plate.

Try the Facebook App now! You need to be a Facebook user to use the free service. Go to the National Numbers Facebook App and follow the easy instructions.

And if you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us today, we are really happy to help.

Promote Your Brand with Number Plates

September 9, 2010
Posted in Number Plates, Number Plates for Businesses — Written by Helen

National Numbers Chairman, Eric Craggs, visits Edinburgh each year to enjoy the art, events and festivals at the Fringe.

In case you missed the coverage, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is one of the biggest arts festivals in the world, taking place every August for three weeks in Scotland’s capital city.

This year Eric saw this awesome number plate on a van in George Street. The company are signage and neon specialists. Of course, being signage specialists, it looks like they did a great job on their own van (which is a fine endorsement in itself!).

But the number plate really helps the van stand out. Take a look:

Signs number plate on van

It is useful to add that the van doesn’t have two number plates as it first appears (I don’t think the DVLA would like that!). The explanation is that the number plate on the left is the actual number plate: S1 GNS, which reads “Signs”.

The registration on the right is not a valid plate, but does help to get the message across, reading “Neons”.

If the company wanted a good Neons number plate, they could go for N3 EON, N19 ONS or NE59 ONS. These registrations start from as little as £188.00, which is a small investment when you consider how much value can be gained.

The value comes from the amount of people who potentially see the vehicle. The Edinburgh festival attracts thousands of people each year, who fill the streets to come together and experience what’s on offer. It provides a fantastic opportunity to use your vehicle as a mobile street advertisement for your business!

All you need do is park in the street, and enjoy passive brand exposure. Maybe you could enjoy the festival yourself while you’re there. And of course, there are thousands of other events around the UK each year to take advantage of.

It is also possible to target your audience by visiting events you know customers like yours will attend. For instance if your business sells football equipment, park your vehicle outside a football stadium on a match day where you know football fans will be. You’ll also need a great footie registration such as F00 77E! This is just one example of how number plates can be used by businesses.

If you are interested in buying a number plate for use in your business, Contact Us today, or find out more by reading these related articles:

Your number plate is a brilliant opportunity to promote your brand, so make the most of it today!

Number Plate iPhone App Goes from Strength to Strength

September 8, 2010
Posted in Number Plates, iPhone Search App — Written by Helen

The National Numbers iPhone app continues to go from strength to strength in the iTunes store. Just check out some of the recent comments from happy users:

“Great App (5 stars) - Brilliant app, I searched for plates on DVLA Registrations and no specific results. I used this app and there were loads. Recommend to anyone!!!”
“Fantastic free App for finding number plates (5 stars) - Very impressed with this App especially considering it’s a freebie. It’s the first I’ve found that allows you to browse available number plates. The search results are very comprehensive and it’s very easy to submit an enquiry. I’m still trying to decide which plate to buy! I recommend it to anybody who’s ever considered buying a plate!!”
“Excellent choice (5 stars) - First class so easy to used found what I wanted and bought it next day.”

The app allows you to search 30 million personalised registrations from the palm of your hand. The app is free so you have nothing to lose and we hope lots to gain by searching now!

You can find it by searching for number plates from the iTunes store, or visit the page directly: iPhone number plate app.

So how does it work?

  • Click on the button to search for a name (e.g. Paul), initials (e.g. A, AA, AAA), any number (e.g. 911 etc), or any word you want to search for.
  • Or use the 30 categories designed to help you find your ideal number plate. We have included rude, funny, football, cheap, car and Irish number plates.
  • 100 best matches to your search are clearly displayed and easy to read. When previewing a registration, you can see exactly how it will look on a car.
  • One you find a plate you’re interested in, click enquire to immediately notify us you’re interested in the plate.
  • Or, if you can’t find what you’re looking for click the Call Us button on the app.

Number plate iPhone app

The app is compatible with iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. Check out our Number Plates for iPhone page to learn more about our number plate search app, or download the App directly, free of charge, from the iTunes Store.