by CARLOS ATWELL THE CALL to regulate licence plate manufacturers has been repeated following discovery by police of illegal plates. Police public relations officer Inspector Barry Hunte said the police force was aware people were using licence plates in breach of the law but assured the public lawmen were "dealing" with it. His comments came during a Press conference at District "A" Station as he spoke of the police recovery of a number of illegal items from Regent Hill, Pinelands, St Michael. Lawmen found the illegal plates, ammunition, and ski masks during a routine drive-through. Hunte said licence plate manufacturers in Barbados had to be regulated as he made reference to three receipts in his possession for licence plates which were obtained without any identification. "I am concerned that any individual can get licence plates made. [The practice is] too loose and this can end up endangering the lives of innocent citizens. "The criminal psyche has changed, it can no longer be business as usual," he said. Advice for motorists Hunte advised motorists to travel always with their drivers' licences and insurance registration forms as it not only proved ownership, but allowed for faster processing in case of an accident. The police spokesman also indicated that no fewer than 31 vehicles had been reported stolen since the beginning of the year. In August last year, Minister of Public Works and Transport Gline Clarke said the Barbados Licensing Authority would be responsible for the registration and regulation of the manufacturers of vehicle licence plates as a number of people were making the plates without authorisation. "Within recent times the Royal Barbados Police Force has encountered a number of fictitious licence plates which have been associated with criminal activity. [They] have strongly recommended that something be done to control and regulate the manufacture and use of number plates. "There are a number of persons across Barbados who are making number plates and some of them are doing a good job. We recognise that it is a business activity that a number of small people are involved in, and we wouldn't want to sideline any small business," he said. (CA)
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