New "special" Cameras

[neil.b]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/derbyshire/4595841.stm

Spotted this in todays news. All the wording seems a bit a bit vague. I wonder if these vans will be distinguishable from "safety" camera vans? And, given that they are collecting similar evidence, could they use it to prosecute you for speeding if they wished? Seems like with these new special vans, they're operating outside the criteria given for siting "safety" vans and probably are not required to publish the locations etc?

(And as a more general issue, same as speed camera vans, how on earth is this going to stop cars being stolen?)

[pmanson]

ANPR!

It's a good thing but like you say they do look exactly like scam vans.

You can normally tell its ANPR if there are police car/bikes near by.

>> Edited by pmanson on Thursday 2nd June 09:20

[neil.b]

Yes, but we've had ANPR in Derby for a long time therefore, why the news story?

[pmanson]

neil.b said:

Yes, but we've had ANPR in Derby for a long time therefore, why the news story?

They probably want to be seen to be doing something! lol

[greg2k]

Went Past one of these things in Milton Keynes and it even had Scamera warning signs on it. I couldn't tell the difference until I saw the motorcade in the following layby.

[Nick_Chim]

pmanson said:

ANPR! You can normally tell its ANPR if there are police car/bikes near by.

A friend who is in Derbys TrafPol has convinced me these ANPR cars and vans are the best thing since sliced bread - they usually operate with 6+ bikes and generally within 20 minutes, all bikes are in use - stolen, untaxed, uninsured cars, false plates, outstanding warrants etc etc. A great way of targetting the scrotes - gets my vote!

[deltafox]

Nick_Chim said:

pmanson said: ANPR! You can normally tell its ANPR if there are police car/bikes near by. A friend who is in Derbys TrafPol has convinced me these ANPR cars and vans are the best thing since sliced bread - they usually operate with 6+ bikes and generally within 20 minutes, all bikes are in use - stolen, untaxed, uninsured cars, false plates, outstanding warrants etc etc. A great way of targetting the scrotes - gets my vote!

Sorry to rain on your parade, but just one litle thing you ought to know about before you trumpet the goodness of ANPR.

Used to target criminals only (the ones we're always on about) ANPR will get my vote.
However, as with all "camera" driven ideas, its gonna get perverted for "other" uses, such as logging all vehicle details.
I for one dont want my vehicle details being logged at every opportunity so that a profile of movements can be built up.
Thats where ANPR is going right now.
Beware.

[GreenV8S]

deltafox said:

Thats where ANPR is going right now.

Do you have a plausible reason to believe this, or are you just assuming the worst?

[Flat in Fifth]

GreenV8S said:

deltafox said: Thats where ANPR is going right now. Do you have a plausible reason to believe this, or are you just assuming the worst?

Well I don't know why deltafox believes it but I do due to 2nd national ACPO ANPR Conference at Dunchurch Park, Rugby on 23/3/2005.

Do you want or even need a summary agenda?

[puggit]

Flat in Fifth said:

GreenV8S said: deltafox said: Thats where ANPR is going right now. Do you have a plausible reason to believe this, or are you just assuming the worst? Well I don't know why deltafox believes it but I do due to 2nd national ACPO ANPR Conference at Dunchurch Park, Rugby on 23/3/2005. Do you want or even need a summary agenda?

yes please

[Flat in Fifth]

puggit said:

yes please

aarrgggghhhh ! can't find it, Been tidying up, bugger!

Anyway the relevant bit is this.

Conference included launch of "ANPR Strategy for the Police Service, covering the years 2005-2008."

Main focus of strategy "denying criminals use of the roads"

Key points are
- Development of a national infrastructure of ANPR enabled cameras and readers to cover strategic sites
- Developing a National ANPR Data Centre to analyse intelligence from ANPR readers from across the country
- All police forces in England and Wales having at least one dedicated ANPR intercept team by October 2005, with more to follow
- Using hypothecated income from Fixed Penalty Notices resulting from ANPR activity to fund further ANPR development
- Using ANPR data within force intelligence and investigative strategies

Hope that answers puggit's request and proof that deltafox is not paranoid. Well he might be, but in this case not.

FiF