ANPR switched off !
Discussion
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/58555/cops_turn_off_plate_gadget.html
Cops Turn Off Plate Gadget
£5,000 device designed to crack down on car crime is being switched off by police because it gives too many false alarms. Auto Express has learned that traffic cops sometimes don't bother to use their in-car Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems, because the information they provide often results in innocent motorists being pulled over.
A source close to the police claimed: "Officers say they sometimes find the technology frustrating because of the number of false or useless positive 'hits' it flags up. On occasions, this means the system simply gets turned off."
Certain patrol cars have hi-tech cameras, which can read the number plates of vehicles in front or behind. An onboard computer analyses the image, and cross-references the registration to DVLA and insurance databases to see if the motor is untaxed or uninsured. The reg is also run through the Police National Computer to check if the car is stolen or the keeper wanted for any motoring offences or more serious crimes. If there is a problem, the officers are warned via a dash-mounted LCD screen, similar to that of a satellite-navigation system.
Our insider, who wanted to remain anonymous, explained: "Some data on these databases is incorrect or out of date. This means police can end up pulling over innocent drivers, which is a waste of time for both parties." He explained that one possible cause for false alarms was stolen cars not being removed from the force's 'missing' list. Alternatively, a vehicle may be listed as uninsured, but the motorist is covered through another policy.
However, an Association of Chief Police Officers spokesman defended the device. He told us: "This effective tool has revolutionised road policing." Mean- while, Northants patrol cars are being fitted with mobile fingerprint readers to scan drivers who are stopped.
Cops Turn Off Plate Gadget
£5,000 device designed to crack down on car crime is being switched off by police because it gives too many false alarms. Auto Express has learned that traffic cops sometimes don't bother to use their in-car Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems, because the information they provide often results in innocent motorists being pulled over.
A source close to the police claimed: "Officers say they sometimes find the technology frustrating because of the number of false or useless positive 'hits' it flags up. On occasions, this means the system simply gets turned off."
Certain patrol cars have hi-tech cameras, which can read the number plates of vehicles in front or behind. An onboard computer analyses the image, and cross-references the registration to DVLA and insurance databases to see if the motor is untaxed or uninsured. The reg is also run through the Police National Computer to check if the car is stolen or the keeper wanted for any motoring offences or more serious crimes. If there is a problem, the officers are warned via a dash-mounted LCD screen, similar to that of a satellite-navigation system.
Our insider, who wanted to remain anonymous, explained: "Some data on these databases is incorrect or out of date. This means police can end up pulling over innocent drivers, which is a waste of time for both parties." He explained that one possible cause for false alarms was stolen cars not being removed from the force's 'missing' list. Alternatively, a vehicle may be listed as uninsured, but the motorist is covered through another policy.
However, an Association of Chief Police Officers spokesman defended the device. He told us: "This effective tool has revolutionised road policing." Mean- while, Northants patrol cars are being fitted with mobile fingerprint readers to scan drivers who are stopped.
catso said:
However, an Association of Chief Police Officers spokesman defended the device. He told us: "This effective tool has revolutionised road policing." Mean- while, Northants patrol cars are being fitted with mobile fingerprint readers to scan drivers who are stopped.
"Revolutionised"? Oh I see. More innocent drivers pulled over. Yes, I guess that's "revolutionised" policing.
Meanwhile, when those innocent drivers are pulled, they will be fingerprinted in case they're terrorists. That will be very efficient, searching for (an alleged) 200 people among the 30m motorists one fingerprint at a time.
Police will always want greater powers because they see the butt-end of humanity and want, quite naturally, to be able to do more about them. However, just as doctors can believe that all humanity is ill, police can begin to think that all of us are crooked. It ain't so.
Police: lighten up a bit, cut us some slack, give us a break. We might even surprise you with our driving capabilities if you saw us away from marked cars and cameras.
what ever happened to the policing by real individuals, blessed with a modicum of 'gorm' and the sensitivity to be alerted by a persons shadiness.
Such reliance on technology, means a device is looking at the pedestrians leaving our railway station each day, to detect known miscreants by shape of face etc, which I imagine must aid the crime fight.
but this ANPR bleeping out possible hits' detracts from an officer who might be alerted by an erratic driving style, in someone un-used to the car they've just boosted off your driveway.
Such reliance on technology, means a device is looking at the pedestrians leaving our railway station each day, to detect known miscreants by shape of face etc, which I imagine must aid the crime fight.
but this ANPR bleeping out possible hits' detracts from an officer who might be alerted by an erratic driving style, in someone un-used to the car they've just boosted off your driveway.
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