Government plan national programme of ANPR installations

Speaking at the launch Denham announced that additional funding will be made available to nine police forces towards pilot schemes for best practice in ANPR operation. The project forms part of a wide-scope programme designed to help forces target resources better and make police officers' time on the streets more effective.

The police's experience of strong links between road traffic offences and other criminal activities formed the foundation of early ANPR trials and have led to the L40,000 awards being made to the following forces: Avon And Somerset, Greater Manchester, Kent, Metropolitan, North Wales, Northamptonshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands and West Yorkshire. The funds are to be put towards the cost of testing various ways of using ANPR alongside dedicated teams of officers.
Denham added: "Automatic Number Plate Recognition is an invaluable tool in the campaign to make our streets safer. By denying criminals the use of the road the police will be better able to enforce the law, prevent crime and detect offenders."