Have your say on the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition
The technology is used by Thames Valley, Hampshire & Wiltshire Police forces
Last updated 17th Feb 2021
People in Berkshire, north Hampshire & Wiltshire are being asked to have their say on the Automatic Number Plate Recognition software they use.
The National Police Chiefs Council has launched a survey which runs for three weeks to get feedback on the technology and how the public feel about it.
ANPR is used by police forces across the UK, including Wiltshire, Thames Valley & Hampshire forces to help detect, deter and disrupt criminality, including organised crime groups and terrorists.
The cameras can read registration plates and alert officers if a vehicle is listed as stolen, has been involved in crime or can be used to track missing people.
Police cars are often equipped with the technology, with fixed cameras also placed in various locations.
WATCH: HOW ANPR WORKS
Inspector Adam Leakey from Wiltshire Police told us:
"ANPR is an investigative tool so the very nature of them is that they are cameras and that they are recording information so it's very much part of modern day policing in the same way that a witness may see an offence take place and we go and take a statement from them. There could be CCTV of the offence taking place and we can go and get that CCTV so ANPR is another tool in the armoury so to speak to provide investigative lines of enquiry.
"It really benefits both the public and the force because when a crime takes place our main objective is to protect that victim, prevent further offences and to try identify the person or people responsible, ANPR is that piece of equipment that enables us to achieve those key aims and anything that enables us to do that in a lawful but efficient manner protects the public."
HAVE YOUR SAY
Police say that ANPR is a vital tool in helping them stay one step ahead of criminals and better protect people.
They want us to fill out this survey to make sure they can adjust the way they work to help better protect the public.
It asks questions like how we think ANPR is used and how it benefits us.
You can take part by clicking here.