§ Mr. McCabeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many number plate suppliers have registered under the Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001; what checks have been carried out to ensure number plate manufacturers and suppliers are complying with the Act; how many vehicle identity check centres have been established and on what basis their location was decided; how many VIC checks have been completed to date; how many checks resulted in refusal to register a vehicle; and what the most common reasons for refusal to register a vehicle were. [114591]
§ Mr. JamiesonBoth the registration of number plate suppliers and vehicle identity checks (VICs) form part of the Government's programme to reduce vehicle crime. They are specifically designed to combat vehicle ringing and cloning (the practice of disguising the identity of stolen vehicles or vehicles used for unlawful purposes.)
As of 16 May, 26,445 number plate suppliers representing 31,977 retail outlets were registered with DVLA.
Since 1 March enforcement powers have rested with the police and local authorities. They have been fully briefed on the legislation. DVLA has received several requests for clarification from these authorities and reports that inspections of premises have been carried out. A DVLA team is being set up to provide support to the police and local authorities for those purposes.
Since the introduction of the vehicle identity check (VIC) scheme on 7 April. 69 inspections have been carried out in Great Britain and one in Northern Ireland. Two vehicles tested in Great Britain have failed. A total of 54 test sites have been established.