Police uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to keep roads safer and solve crimes faster. This technology reads license plates using special cameras, then checks them against a list of vehicles that may be stolen or linked to criminal activity.
By using automatic number plate recognition, officers can quickly spot suspicious cars without having to stop every vehicle they see.
Spotting Stolen Vehicles on the Move:
When a car is reported stolen, its license plate is added to a national database. ANPR cameras, placed on roads, traffic lights, or police cars, scan passing vehicles and read their plates in real time. If a plate matches one on the stolen list, the system alerts nearby officers. This gives them a chance to stop the car safely and recover the stolen vehicle before it gets too far.
Helping with Crime Investigations:
ANPR doesn’t just help find stolen cars. It also helps track vehicles that may have been used during a crime. For example, if a robbery happens and witnesses describe a certain car, the plate number can be added to the system. The next time that car passes an ANPR camera, the police are alerted. This makes it easier to follow suspects or find out where they’ve been.
Building a Picture of Movements:
Every time a car passes an ANPR camera, the time, date, and place are saved. This helps officers understand where a vehicle has been over a period of time. If someone is suspected of a crime, police can look at the past movements of their car. This can help show if the person was near the scene at the right time or if they were somewhere else.
Keeping Streets Safer:
ANPR systems are also used to find cars without insurance, fake plates, or those connected to other traffic offenses. These systems work around the clock and support officers by giving them information before they even stop a car. It helps police focus their time and energy where it matters most.
By using ANPR, police can find stolen vehicles quickly, track suspects, and build stronger cases. This technology helps speed up investigations and protects the public by taking unsafe or stolen vehicles off the road.
