What did I see on they M1 18 June?

[Riley Blue]

Headng south on the M1 near Trowell Services (Jn 26) at 11.30am on Sat. June 18 I spotted a silver BMW estate FJ59BZM (I think, difficult to be sure reading it in the mirror in heavy rain). It was driving at a steady 60mph in lane 1 and on the roof towards the offside rear was a box which looked like it housed a camera. The box was about 6" x 4" and about 2" high and was angled so the lens, about an inch diameter, faced overtaking traffic.

It had a couple of interior mirrors which made me think it was BiB and, as far as I could see, just a driver.

Any thoughts on what it might be?

[HUW JONES]

ANPR?

[dowahdiddyman]

^this.

[Jw Vw]

HUW JONES said:

ANPR?

This is what I would assume it was.

[Riley Blue]

Jw Vw said:

HUW JONES said:

ANPR?

This is what I would assume it was.

If so, with what purpose?

[Graebob]

Riley Blue said:

If so, with what purpose?

Anything you like really. Spotting dodgy tax, dodgy insurance etc. Inform the BiB further up the carriageway who are waiting and pull you over.

Does make you wonder why it wasn't sitting still on a bridge though.

[The Big G]

Graebob said:

Does make you wonder why it wasn't sitting still on a bridge though.

They'll have to get there somehow

[The Moose]

A few 'bounty hunter' type people have things like this...

On the look out for suspects based on their number plate.

Cheers

The Moose

[Gizmo!]

Our local ANPR cars are Imprezas

/essex

[Riley Blue]

Graebob said:

Riley Blue said:

If so, with what purpose?

Anything you like really. Spotting dodgy tax, dodgy insurance etc. Inform the BiB further up the carriageway who are waiting and pull you over.

Does make you wonder why it wasn't sitting still on a bridge though.

Yes, I know what ANPR can spot but it didn't seem a very effective use - if that's what it was. No BiB anywhere to be seen unless in Trowell services.

[Graebob]

The Big G said:

Graebob said:

Does make you wonder why it wasn't sitting still on a bridge though.

They'll have to get there somehow

[marcosgt]

WTFIAANPR?

M

[joreco]

Seen this vehicle in exactly the same area, going North on the hard shoulder with strobes going in the rear lights, discussing matters with another motorist and also cruising between junction 26/27. The box on the roof, indeed looks like a camera, anpr style.

[E36GUY]

marcosgt said:

WTFIAANPR?

M

Automatic Numberplate Recognition System. Is linked to DVLA records of insured/taxed vehicles and tells the operator when it spots an offending vehicle. A good thing IMHO and can also be used by Police if they are looking for a specific wanted/stolen vehicle in an area.

[marcosgt]

E36GUY said:

Automatic Numberplate Recognition System. Is linked to DVLA records of insured/taxed vehicles and tells the operator when it spots an offending vehicle. A good thing IMHO and can also be used by Police if they are looking for a specific wanted/stolen vehicle in an area.

Thanks

M.

[Riley Blue]

joreco said:

Seen this vehicle in exactly the same area, going North on the hard shoulder with strobes going in the rear lights, discussing matters with another motorist and also cruising between junction 26/27. The box on the roof, indeed looks like a camera, anpr style.

And I was thinking I'd unearthed a secret surveillence operation - it's just a plain old unmarked donut van.....