Experts gather to discuss future police use of ANPR

The University of Hertfordshire recently hosted a workshop for automatic numberplate recognition (ANPR) experts to help improve the deployment and use of the cameras across the country.

Detective Superintendent Paul Ealham, Hertfordshire Constabulary’s director of intelligence, said: “The use of both CCTV and ANPR by the police and other government agencies has never been under such scrutiny and we must strive to ensure that we use this technology in a measured, appropriate and effective way.

“This workshop brought together some of the leading experts in the ANPR field and using the knowledge and experience gathered here, in conjunction with the excellent research carried out with the University of Hertfordshire, we hope to develop guidance on how ANPR is deployed nationally for the foreseeable future.”

The workshop brought together technical experts from the key ANPR manufacturers in the UK to improve the use and accuracy of the technology, based on initial research conducted by a small research team formed from the Home Office, Hertfordshire Constabulary and the University of Hertfordshire designed to provide external assurance and up-to-date academic technical expertise.

This event was particularly significant as it enabled manufacturers to question and influence future policy and provide feedback on proposals to introduce new national ANPR standards for policing.