Police cameras alert to criminals behind wheel

POLICE have issued a warning to criminals travelling on North Yorkshire’s roads after a dramatic expansion of the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system across the county.

The force says it has recently funded a further eight fixed cameras bringing its total to 24 at seven fixed sites, while in-car cameras have been added to a further seven vehicles bringing the total number of patrol cars fitted with ANPR to 16.

The cameras work by scanning vehicle registration numbers and checking them against information stored in databases and are seen as vital in tackling offenders travelling into the county.

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Last year, North Yorkshire Police’s ANPR team seized 380 vehicles for insurance and licence offences, arresting 123 people on suspicion of various crimes including theft, drug and driving offences.

A total of 1,137 people were summoned to court for a variety of offences and 749 fixed penalty notices were issued

Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Tim Madgwick said: “This is extremely good news for our communities in North Yorkshire but bad news for the criminal fraternity whose activity will be disrupted more than ever.

“ANPR is one of the most effective tools used by the police and enhances our ability to detect, deter and disrupt criminality.”