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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Anna Tims

I ended up facing court after my car’s licence plates were stolen

A registration plate being stolen from a car in a staged photograph
Licence plate theft is increasing rapidly in the UK. Photograph: Jens Rother/Alamy

In June, my car number plates were stolen. I reported it to the police, who confirmed they had been used on a vehicle that filled up with fuel at two garages, then had been driven off without payment. The second garage sent me photos and a demand for payment, but withdrew it when I explained.

I then got another demand, for £83, from a Shell garage in Harrogate. I responded by phone – no one called me back – then in writing. When I didn’t hear, I assumed the matter was dropped. Now I’ve received a letter from the Registry Trust stating that a decree (a county court judgment in England and Wales) has been issued against me in a sheriff court. I had no advance contact from the court, or Shell; the decree seems to have been granted without any investigation.

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