FOI 18063
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: hrc0018063/26
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 3rd July 2026. Please find below the response to your request:
I am requesting data on the specific offence of number-plate fraud held by West Mercia Police.
This type of offence is recorded under Home Office Code 814/03 offence title "Fraud, forgery etc. associated with registration and licensing documents" under Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 Secs 44 & 45. Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 Sec 65(1)(b) & (2).
Please only include data on the specific offence code 814/03, not including wider vehicle fraud offences in this category.
Please break down the total number of investigations where 814/03 is an included offence, including where it is a secondary/less serious offence in the investigation.
Additionally, please provide a summary count of the number of those investigations which also include a sexual offence or drug offence (there may be crossover/ if one involves both then please count it in all three columns).
I am requesting the data from the financial year beginning in 2023 to the latest available data 2025/2026.
I would like the data in an Excel spreadsheet please. If you could please use the headings provided:
- Financial year
- Total investigations opened where 814/03 is either the primary or a secondary offence
- Number which also include (any) sexual offence on the same investigation
- Number which also include (any) drug offence on the same investigation
Reply
West Mercia Police hold the below information
|
Home Office Classification & Primary Full Offence Title |
Fiscal Year |
Grand Total |
||
|
2023/24 |
2024/25 |
2025/26 |
||
|
814/03 - Fraud, forgery etc associated with registration and licensing documents |
|
5 |
3 |
8 |
|
Grand Total |
0 |
5 |
3 |
8 |
|
Primary Full Offence Title or investigations which have "Fraud, forgery etc associated with registration and licensing documents" as an included classification |
Fiscal Year |
Grand Total |
||
|
2023/24 |
2024/25 |
2025/26 |
||
|
Dangerous Driving |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
Going equipped for stealing etc |
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
Undertaking or assisting in the retention, removal, disposal or realisation of stolen goods or arranging to do so |
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
On review of the MO summary of the 8 crimes none mention sexual offence or drugs.