What are the rules/guidelines on this?
I noticed the car involved in the Heathrow airport accident didn't have the number plate obscured yesterday, (including at 22:20 last night on ITV News), but today it has been?
If anything I'd have expected it to have been fuzzed out from the outset, because it would be possible to indentify the victims before the authorities have been able to inform next of kin etc?
All a car registration plate will tell you is who the car is registered to and where, if you're privy to that information. It doesn't always mean that it was registered to the victim as one can drive other people's cars if you a) are insured to do so (either on your own car insurance, though any prangs would be limited to third party only, or an insurance policy that covers you to do so) and b) you have the vehicle owner's permission to drive it.
All a car registration plate will tell you is who the car is registered to and where, if you're privy to that information. It doesn't always mean that it was registered to the victim as one can drive other people's cars if you a) are insured to do so (either on your own car insurance, though any prangs would be limited to third party only, or an insurance policy that covers you to do so) and b) you have the vehicle owner's permission to drive it.
I agree, but I'd recognise a number of friends, family, and neighbours' plates if I saw their cars on TV, so that's effectively disclosure which may not be appropriate?
Turn the argument the other way round, and why scrub them out at all?
Most privately owned cars spend 99+% of the time being driven by their registered owners or their partners
All a car registration plate will tell you is who the car is registered to and where, if you're privy to that information. It doesn't always mean that it was registered to the victim as one can drive other people's cars if you a) are insured to do so (either on your own car insurance, though any prangs would be limited to third party only, or an insurance policy that covers you to do so) and b) you have the vehicle owner's permission to drive it.
I agree, but I'd recognise a number of friends, family, and neighbours' plates if I saw their cars on TV, so that's effectively disclosure which may not be appropriate?
Turn the argument the other way round, and why scrub them out at all?
Most privately owned cars spend 99+% of the time being driven by their registered owners or their partners
There's no hard and fast rules on blurring number plates - since they were more than likely seen from a public place and nothing you wouldn't see with your own eyes if you were out.
Usually you will blur out plates if a vehicle has been involved in an accident or used in a crime because it could cause undue stress to family members or create an inaccurate link to a crime. This is especially true in the case of serious accidents where family members may not have been told due to various reasons until they see the car on the news and well, you can imagine the rest.
Undercover police cars are another one that gets number plates blurred for obvious reasons.
It’s pretty hard for a layman to get hold of the registered keeper details for a vehicle, so it must be more to do with respect for the family and relatives.
It often amuses me when celebrity number plates are blanked out in the press - of all people they are amongst the easiest to find their home address details - I’m continually amazed at what you can find out with a quick trawl of the companies house website!
Of course, there is also the matter of number plate cloning, which is why you'll see crash damaged vehicles being transported around with all or part of the number plates obscured with gaffa tape
I believe that the Shoreham incident led to an increase of this practice. It predates 2015 though. I believe some social media content that got broadcast featured registration marks of vehicles involved in the aircrash. Sensitivities of possible relatives being the prime reason.
I believe that the Shoreham incident led to an increase of this practice. It predates 2015 though. I believe some social media content that got broadcast featured registration marks of vehicles involved in the aircrash. Sensitivities of possible relatives being the prime reason.
Seems logical. What is odd is that both BBC and ITN waited 24 hours before implementing it in this case. If anything the first 24 hours is when the policy is most required?
Of course, there is also the matter of number plate cloning, which is why you'll see crash damaged vehicles being transported around with all or part of the number plates obscured with gaffa tape
I think it’s also to prevent the crashed vehicles being picked up wrongly by ANPR systems during transit.
Of course, there is also the matter of number plate cloning, which is why you'll see crash damaged vehicles being transported around with all or part of the number plates obscured with gaffa tape
I think it’s also to prevent the crashed vehicles being picked up wrongly by ANPR systems during transit.
It's out of respect to the victims and reduce stress of relatives until they have been contacted. The police often cover number plates if possible.
Undercover / firearms officers' cars are regularly covered.
Of course, there is also the matter of number plate cloning, which is why you'll see crash damaged vehicles being transported around with all or part of the number plates obscured with gaffa tape
I think it’s also to prevent the crashed vehicles being picked up wrongly by ANPR systems during transit.
It's out of respect to the victims and reduce stress of relatives until they have been contacted. The police often cover number plates if possible.
Undercover / firearms officers' cars are regularly covered.
I love it when we blur out marked vehicle plates... no need whatsoever
I think it’s also to prevent the crashed vehicles being picked up wrongly by ANPR systems during transit.
It's out of respect to the victims and reduce stress of relatives until they have been contacted. The police often cover number plates if possible.
Undercover / firearms officers' cars are regularly covered.
I love it when we blur out marked vehicle plates... no need whatsoever
Except that the officers can possibly be indentified by those that recoginize the numbers. It's sometimes best to err on the the side of caution in the case of fatalities or police activity. We're often asked not to identify officers faces too.