Collect reports
The system monitors selected public-domain sources and receives contributed lookouts through supported channels. Only messages containing a vehicle registration number are relevant to the plate database.
Scan • Sort • Securely store
How vehicle reports become searchable intelligence
NP Tracker focuses on a simple task: retrieving context about a specific registration number without publishing a browsable vehicle list.
Protect & organise
Reports are categorised and stored centrally. Public posts may retain a source link or screen name for follow-up; identifying details supplied by supported messaging platforms are removed from lookout reports unless the sender included them in the message.
Return a result
A user submits a known registration through a bot, app or API. The system returns matching information for that plate rather than exposing a list of registrations.
Source coverage
Public information, participating groups and integrations
NP Tracker does not publish its complete source list. It has historically described monitoring public Facebook pages or groups, Twitter accounts, websites, Telegram groups and participating WhatsApp channels, as well as receiving reports directly.
NPS-SHARE
NPS-SHARE invites developers and system administrators to contribute incident data through an API endpoint. In return, matching plate lookouts can be returned as JSON and the source site can be credited on related lookout reports.
Missing a source?
If a public lookout is not returned during a plate check, NP Tracker invites users to send the public source link for review and possible inclusion.
Why open intelligence matters
Patterns can appear before formal records do
Scenario: repeated suspicious behaviour
A vehicle reported for suspicious activity in Bloemfontein may be checked months later in Pretoria. The earlier report does not prove wrongdoing — it may have an innocent explanation — but the repeated pattern gives the reader context to make a safer, more informed decision.
Scenario: information before a case is captured
A victim may post a hijacking report before being able to open a police case. If that registration is checked during the intervening period, the community report may provide early context. Later reports may add a SAPS CAS number where available.
Unverified by design: Public-domain lookout information is not independently verified before publication. The reader must evaluate each report, consider the context and take an appropriate course of action. NP Tracker does not provide vehicle-owner details.
Data and user security
Core safeguards described by NP Tracker
No general plate list
Lookup reports are returned for the registration searched; a complete database is not made available for anonymous browsing.
Source protection
Messaging-platform identifiers are removed from lookout reports to help protect contributors from victimisation.
Error review
If a registration was listed in error, the owner can contact NP Tracker so the report can be investigated and appropriate action taken.