Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)

As a vehicle passes an ANPR camera, its registration number is read and instantly checked against database records of vehicles of interest.  Police officers can intercept and stop a vehicle, check it for evidence and, where necessary, make arrests.

The use of ANPR in this way has proved to be important in the detection of many offences, including locating stolen vehicles, tackling uninsured vehicle use and uncovering cases of major crime.  It also allows officers’ attention to be drawn to offending vehicles and reduces the need to stop law-abiding drivers.

To find out more about registration numbers and the regulations around number plates, see:

• the Road Vehicles (Display of Registration Marks ) Regulations 2001
• the latest number plate standard – BS AU 145e
• what the DVLA expects

There are also rules on displaying number plates. Fines are in place for drivers who are found to have incorrectly displayed number plates.

If a vehicle’s registered keeper is found to be using illegal or non-compliant number plates, they must change them. Find your nearest number plate supplier.

ANPR data from Avon and Somerset is submitted to the National ANPR Data Centre (NADC) where it is stored together with similar data from other forces for a period of 12 months.

We have clear rules to control access to ANPR data to ensure that access is for legitimate investigation purposes.

Staff only have access to ANPR data if it is relevant to their role and the majority of those who have permission may only do so for a maximum period of 90 days from the date it was collected.

Some staff are authorised to access data for up to two years subject to authorisation of a senior officer.

After 90 days, access may only be for serious, major or counter terrorism investigations and after 12 months only for major investigations and counter terrorism purposes.

Searches of ANPR data can confirm whether vehicles associated with a known criminal have been in the area at the time of a crime and can dramatically speed up investigations.

Read the National ANPR Service (NAS) Rights of Data Subjects Notice guidance on GOV.UK to find out how to submit a subject access/data request for the ANPR data held by Avon and Somerset Police.

In addition to being mounted within police vehicles, fixed location ANPR cameras are used throughout our force area  to help detect, deter and disrupt criminal activity.

In line with national policy, we do not disclose details of our fixed locations as this information is likely to be of benefit to offenders and if known could reduce the value of ANPR to policing.

National guidelines state that, if we propose to install additional ANPR cameras, an assessment must be carried out to demonstrate a clear need, taking account of the following factors:

• National security and counter terrorism
• Serious, organised and major crime
• Local crime
• Community confidence and reassurance, and crime prevention and reduction

In assessing whether new cameras are to be deployed, a Privacy Impact Assessment will be undertaken.  We will consult with persons and organisations with a reasonable interest in the proposal unless that would be contrary to the purpose of the development, namely to detect, deter and disrupt criminality.

We are committed to regularly reviewing the location of ANPR cameras, in the context of the above criteria, to make sure that the continued deployment remains justified.

All reviews will include consideration of the impacts on privacy.

Request information about Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR):

• online – fill in the general enquiry form
• by phone – call 101

To make a complaint about ANPR online, fill in the make a complaint form.

See other ways to make a complaint.