Cameras which are able to recognise vehicles linked with criminal activity are set to be installed across Rushcliffe.
In the past year Nottinghamshire Police force spent over half a million pounds installing Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras as part of its proactive approach to catching criminals. This has proved to be highly successful in helping to detect and disrupt criminality and reduce acquisition crime.
Now the force is set to invest in even more cameras, static and mobile, in a bid to stop criminals using the county’s road networks.
The first area to benefit from this next wave of funding is Rushcliffe, where a number of covert cameras will be installed.
This follows a £40k grant by Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping and £20k from Rushcliffe Borough Council.
PCC Paddy Tipping said that it was important to provide the resources to tackle the crimes that matter to people. He said: “ANPR cameras help the police to catch a lot of criminals, which is why I was pleased to agree the additional funding for these new cameras.
“The message to offenders is simple – ‘don’t risk it’! These new cameras have been strategically placed to capture information on vehicles travelling on key routes in Rushcliffe and together with other initiatives; we are targeting those committing crimes such as burglary and vehicle crime which is what residents have said they want to see.”
The cameras automatically recognise vehicles that have been linked with criminal activity by scanning the number plates.
As a vehicle passes an ANPR camera, its registration number is read and instantly checked against a database which has listed on it vehicles of interest.
Police officers can intercept and stop a vehicle, check it for evidence and, where necessary, make arrests.
The cameras will automatically flag up stolen vehicles or those that are uninsured or used in crime.
The new cameras will help neighbourhood policing teams in Rushcliffe, to enable them to offer much more targeted and focused patrols. In particular it makes it harder for those wanting to commit car key burglaries or travelling burglars as well as catching disqualified drivers
Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford added: “We know people travel to Nottingham from other areas to commit crime and these cameras are designed to deter that happening and to help us catch more burglars.
“Since introducing them last year we have seen excellent results on a daily basis that we would not have been able to get without this technology. That is why we want to invest in more cameras – hidden cameras that will read the number plates and stop criminals in their tracks before they go on to commit crimes in our area. Local policing teams get daily use of this tactical option to disrupt, deter and detect criminal activity in their area, and by doing so help to increase public confidence in the police.”
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Safety Cllr Rob Inglis also welcomed the new cameras, he said: “We are extremely pleased to be supporting one of our key community safety partners to help reduce crime and illegal activity using our road network.
“This funding will play an important role in supporting Nottinghamshire Police’s efforts to gather intelligence to target and crack down on crime being committed in our borough.”
