AN investigation has been launched into counterfeit and unauthorised taxi and minicab licence plates which are believed to be in circulation in the county.

Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRH) has already dealt with one instance in Worcester of late and has warned all cabbies and firms to be on the lookout.

In some cases, operators found displaying illegal plates have gone on to be fined or arrested when it wrongly appears their vehicles are involved in crime.

In an email circulated to licensed operators, WRH said its licensing department is looking into the matter with the illegal plates taking the “form of thin magnetic plates, which attach directly to the vehicle”.

“We ask, as a licensed operator you also take the time to check with any drivers or vehicle owners affiliated with your company in an effort to ensure that they are not in possession of, or displaying unauthorised or counterfeit vehicle plates.”

The email, which was passed onto the Worcester News by an operator who wished to remain anonymous, urges those with suspicions to contact WRH.

“Any information provided will be dealt with in the strictest of confidence,” it adds.

If you have any information you’d like to share in relation to the origin of unauthorised or counterfeit vehicle plates, call WRH licensing on 01905 822799.

A Worcester City Council spokeswoman said while a thorough investigation is being undertaken, WRH does not consider this a “major issue in Worcester” itself.

But did confirm that one instance of a counterfeit or unauthorised plate had been identified and dealt with in the city in recent weeks.

The BBC reported last month that DVLA registered companies selling vehicle licence plates to drivers without carrying out proper checks has become a growing trend.

In some cases, this has led to registered owners facing fines or arrest when it wrongly appears their vehicles are involved in crime, said the report.

In 2016, the Telegraph reported that one in 12 vehicles in the UK could have cloned registration plates.

West Mercia Police did not wish to comment when approached by the Worcester News.