North police use scanners to nick 10,000 cars

Nov 1 2009 by Phil Doherty, Sunday Sun

The scheme was introduced in different years in different police forces in the region.

In the Cleveland Police force area, 807 vehicles have been seized since 2007 when the scheme was introduced.

Sergeant Jason Wathes, head of Cleveland’s ANPR team, said: “It is important to eradicate the danger caused by uninsured drivers as they are more likely to be involved in road traffic collisions than insured drivers.

“Invariably, a vehicle stopped for no insurance will result in a number of other criminal offences coming to light. Due to the network of fixed cameras and mobile cameras across the force area there is nowhere for criminals to hide.”

Criminals wanted nationally have been stopped and arrested as soon as they enter Cleveland.

The Teesside-based force is now using new analytical software and has a dedicated ANPR coordinator who ensures intelligence “is plentiful, accurate and being used effectively”.

Northumbria Police introduced the system in 2008 after a three-month trial carried out the previous year in Newcastle. It has seized 1,750 vehicles so far.

Northumbria Police Chief Inspector John Barnes, of the Operations Department, said: “ANPR devices are just one of a range of tools we use to identify and seize uninsured or stolen cars.

“Section 165 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 allows police forces to seize cars if they being driven in contravention of current legislation.

“In the six months from April to September 2009 alone, Northumbria Police have seized a total of 1,290 cars which is an average of more than 200 a month.”

No figures were available from Cumbria Police.