Five arrested in crackdown (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Five arrested in crackdown

4:34pm Friday 7th September 2007

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FIVE people have been arrested as part of a multi-agency ANPR - Automatic Number Plate Recognition - operation near Kidderminster.

The operation took place on the A449 Wolverhampton Road near the Whittington pub yesterday.

Offences the people were arrested for included traffic offences, theft, drink-driving and driving while unfit through drugs. Four vehicles were seized for having no insurance.

Fixed penalty tickets were issued to three drivers who were using mobile phones and one for not wearing a seatbelt.

Sgt Mark Layton, of the North Worcestershire roads policing unit, said: "This was the latest in a series of very successful operations. ANPR is a tool we are increasingly using to tackle traffic and crime-related matters.

"Denying criminals the use of the road by using mobile and fixed camera technology is the aim of the ANPR team. This technology is both accurate and reliable and has resulted in 500 criminals being arrested in West Mercia in the space of 12 months.

"We know many criminals use unregistered and unlicensed vehicles and being able to identify these vehicles helps us prevent and detect crime.

"By seizing uninsured vehicles, we are able to take cars which are used by criminals off the road and make it much more difficult for them to operate.

"Law-abiding citizens have nothing to fear from ANPR. The only vehicles to be pulled over are those which the computer alerts us there may be a problem with and if further checks show everything is in order, the occupants can continue on their way."

The ANPR system uses special equipment to read number plates and immediately check them against databases such as the Police National Computer and DVLA records to identify vehicles which are untaxed, have no insurance, have been stolen or are otherwise of interest.

The operation was carried out by officers from West Mercia Constabulary and neighbouring forces, together with staff from partner organisations, including the Environment Agency and VOSA - Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.

While the police concentrate on crime and motoring offences, the other organisations look at issues such as whether vehicles are roadworthy or waste transport regulations are being complied with.

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