Sensible Use of ANPR - someone should tell Ken

[hedgerley]

The Scottish Executive has equipped the Forth and Tay Road Bridges with 'smart' ANPR Cameras to identify and record stolen and/or suspect vehicles. They will be linked into the national databases that record stolen vehicles or those known to be involved in crime or other nefarious activity, perhaps even uninsured/failed MOT etc. Police response will be almost immediate.

This follows a succesful pilot on Kincardine Bridge last year which resulted in several arrests and the return of stolen vehicles/property - a Ford Explorer stolen in Folkstone was picked up crossing the Bridge 2 days later and arrests were made within the hour! Almost makes me happy to pay my taxes. Almost.

Will Ken's cameras be put to use in this manner, or is that just about fleecing motorists?

[deltaf]

Kens idea is about fleecing motorists..some more.
Congestion Charge.....Community Charge....sounds similar and works similar, wont last.

[mcecm]

My local force (Northern Constabulary) has an ANPR camera mounted in the back of a force car. They usually sit at the roadside and monitor the traffic. The point being that 80% of crime is commited by 'travelling' thieves predominantly from Glasgow. They are basically checking for known criminals in the area which seems like another perfectly valid use for it as well!