AB 1 Number Plate Wrong Doing Cleared
Reg Plates ArticleAB 1 Number Plate Wrong Doing Cleared
A WATCHDOG has vindicated a police boss over the controversial sale of an historic number plate.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said there was no indication of wrongdoing in relation to the sale of 'AB1' and decided against investigating the matter.
West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion sold the plate to former Chief Constable Paul West for £160,000 in August.
However some argued that Mr Campion undersold the plate, which was the first vehicle registration number issued to the county.
The plate was also traditionally displayed on the staff cars of Worcestershire's Chief Constables.
Former Malvern councillor Clive Smith, who reported the matter to the police watchdog, said: “I’m very disappointed. At the end of the day that number plate was sold way below the market value.
“I know what those precious plates go for. It was reported there were higher offers.”
The IOPC - formerly the Independent Police Complaints Commission - decided against investigating the sale in December.
A spokesman for the watchdog said: “We have carefully assessed a referral from the West Mercia Police and Crime Panel, alongside a number of complaints, and have decided an IOPC investigation into the allegations is not required.
"It is the IOPC’s view that there was no indication of dishonesty, that relevant parties were consulted and that there was publicity in respect of the sale.
"On the information available, there is not sufficient substance to the allegations that the PCC has committed any criminal offence for the IOPC to determine that an investigation is necessary."
The spokesman added that the matter and associated complaints had been referred back to the West Mercia Police and Crime Panel.
Mr Campion previously said he has always been transparent about 'AB1', with details relating to the sale widely published.
Worcestershire was issued the 'AB1' vehicle registration in May 1903.
Mr West has promised to keep the plate within the county.
Remember that, despite valuations and estimates, a private number plate is only worth as much as someone will pay for it. You may have loved your personalised number plate because it contains your initials, for example, but if there aren’t many other people with your initials, the plate’s value may be minimal. On the other hand, if you have a plate whose letters contain common or popular names, you may well find that it is in high demand on the market.
Some criteria to consider when valuing a personalised car number plate
Take into account the following criteria when trying to come up with a valuation for your private number plate. You need to look at them all together if you want a realistic price, so you can’t just pick and choose the factors that favour your number plate!
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