ANPR pilots increase arrests but expose database flaws

ANPR teams in the pilot forces arrested more than 13,000 people, nine times the national average, and recovered £8 million worth of drugs and property, according to a year-long study of the projects.

The study, carried out by PA consulting on behalf of the Home Office, recommended a national roll-out of the system, but highlighted concerns regarding the accuracy of the databases used to identify illegal vehicles.

It found ‘substantial’ variations in the quality of local intelligence databases. The accuracy of the DVLA database also needed to be investigated, the report found.
The fixed penalty system could also be undermined as the report found that cases which went to court were given fewer points and lower fines. It called for the fixed penalty system to be reviewed urgently by ACPO and the Department for Constitutional Affairs.
PA Consulting also recommended that ANPR-intercept teams should be attached to local command areas to reduce travelling time.

Following the findings, ANPR will now be extended to other forces after the Home Office announced a £15 million cash injection.

A national data centre to exchange ANPR-read data from across the UK for post incident investigation and to support work to tackle terrorism and organised crime will also be set up.
The Home Office, through the Police Standards Unit, is now inviting all forces to submit bids for a share of the money.

Announcing the funding, Home Secretary David Blunkett said: “It will allow police forces throughout England and Wales to improve and build on their capacity to deny criminals the use of the road.

“It will ensure that a national roll-out of this innovative system can progress quickly. ANPR is a shining example of how targeted police operations deliver positive results.”
The ANPR system can check up to 3,000 number plates per hour on vehicles travelling up to 100 mph. They are then checked through a number of databases including the PNC, DVLA and local intelligence records.

The study revealed ANPR-intercept teams ‘pulled-over’ 180,000 vehicles. From these, 13,500 people were arrested for a range of offences including theft and burglary, drugs and firearms offences and auto-crime. Ninety per cent of those arrested were later charged.

CASE STUDY: A Renault Laguna triggered an ANPR hit against a local intelligence database. The information was that occupants were suspected of supplying controlled drugs. As the intercept officer drew alongside the vehicle, he saw the driver rapidly drinking water from a bottle. The vehicle was stopped and the two male occupants searched without result.

The officers detained the men for a strip search. While being conveyed to the custody suite for this purpose, one of the suspects vomited and brought up 15 wraps of heroin. Both men were arrested for being involved in the supply of controlled drugs. £800 in cash was also recovered.