Chapman ANPR hits to impact all forces

The IPCC will investigate the handling of intelligence prior to the arrest of Peter Chapman, who murdered Ashleigh Hall after contacting her on Facebook.

The investigation, entirely separate to that being conducted into Merseyside Police’s monitoring of Chapman (see PP196 p8), will look at the police reaction to a number of ‘hits’ Chapman’s car made on static ANPR cameras in three force areas – Cleveland, Durham and North Yorkshire – while wanted for breaching conditions of the Sex Offender Register.

The IPCC said the investigation could have a wider impact on the way police forces use ANPR information.

Chapman’s vehicle, a blue Ford Mondeo, was circulated on the Police National Computer on October 23, 2009, in relation to allegations of theft, arson and failing to notify his change of address in line with his sex offenders’ registration.

The three forces have identified ANPR records showing that Chapman’s car was in the force areas between October 23-26, 2009.

Cleveland Police recorded 12 ANPR ‘hits’ over the three days, Durham Constabulary recorded two ‘hits’ on October 25 and North Yorkshire recorded two ‘hits’ on October 26. All the hits were recorded on static, roadside ANPR cameras.

The hits in the Cleveland Police area resulted in the arrest of Chapman, at which point he confessed to Ashleigh’s murder.

IPCC Commissioner Nicholas Long said: “The information about recorded hits on ANPR systems warrants an independent investigation to determine how the intelligence was dealt with. I appreciate police forces receive thousands of ANPR hits on a daily basis, but we will want to know how the forces concerned monitored these systems to determine what can be learnt and whether improvements can be made. This investigation has the potential to impact on forces around the country as ANPR has become a well-used tool.”