FilePublication - Open access

Thematic review of the use of automatic number plate recognition within police forces

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) is an established technology that allows vehicle registration marks to be 'read' by cameras using pattern recognition software.  In October 2002, the Home Office Police Standards Unit (PSU) and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) helped introduce dedicated intercept teams using ANPR in nine police forces - 'Project Laser'.  This was evaluated and showed that ANPR brought many more offences to justice than conventional methods of policing per official hour.