ANPR technology takes to the sky

Dyfed Powys Police’s force helicopter been equipped with two new hi-tech devices to further increase public safety.

Aug 14, 2008
By Paul Jacques

Dyfed Powys Police’s force helicopter been equipped with two new hi-tech devices to further increase public safety.

The X99 helicopter now has VASCAR speed enforcement equipment and an automatic numberplate reader (ANPR).

Inspector Ian Richards said: “We are working with our colleagues on the ground to reduce the number of speed-related collisions. By being able to target speeders from the air we are helping to make our roads safer.

“The ANPR now allows us to search numberplates which we can read from 1,500ft up.

“It is updated daily with national information about stolen vehicles, wanted people, etc. This means that whenever we are in the air we are actively protecting the communities. It’s all about targeting criminals and criminal activities and making our communities safe.”

The force helicopter is already actively used in major incidents, missing person enquiries, traffic and event management and intelligence gathering.

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