Police launch number plate recognition intercept team

A new mobile police team that will use cutting-edge number plate recognition technology has been launched by the PSNI.
By David Young
Published 8th Sep 2020, 13:56 BST
An Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) device on show during the launch by the PSNI of the new Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Intercept Team in Lisburn.An Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) device on show during the launch by the PSNI of the new Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Intercept Team in Lisburn.
An Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) device on show during the launch by the PSNI of the new Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Intercept Team in Lisburn.

The fleet of cars in the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Intercept Team can check number plates of passing cars on the roads against a real-time database of suspect vehicles.

As part of a pilot initiative, ANPR cars will initially operate out of PSNI stations in Omagh and Portadown.

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Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Jonathan Roberts said: “The establishment of this new team, who will use highly-visible ANPR Interceptor liveried cars, is a pilot initiative which is part of the ongoing evolution and upgrade of our ANPR technology.

A PSNI officer sits in the driving seat of a BMW police vehicle on show during the launch by the PSNI of the new Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Intercept Team in Lisburn.A PSNI officer sits in the driving seat of a BMW police vehicle on show during the launch by the PSNI of the new Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Intercept Team in Lisburn.
A PSNI officer sits in the driving seat of a BMW police vehicle on show during the launch by the PSNI of the new Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Intercept Team in Lisburn.

“The use of ANPR technology has already proved to be an enormously effective operational tool, which allows police to target known offenders.”

The team is made up of advanced PSNI driver officers drawn from the roads policing unit.

They have all undergone specialist tactical pursuit and containment (TPAC) training.

Mr Roberts added: “The new team will enable police officers to focus their attention on offending vehicles and allow law-abiding drivers to go about their business, safely and unhindered.”