Dover cameras spot stolen trucks
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• Nationwide police computer vehicle checks at ports could soon be a reality after a threemonth trial at Dover led to the recovery of stolen trucks.
The Automatic Number Plate Recognition scheme involves police computer systems linked to closed-circuit television cameras designed to read vehicle registration plates. The computer program sends the data down a phone lineto the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, which checks the registrations.
The Dover scheme has now been made permanent, says the Association of Chief Police Officers, and could be extended to other ports. "It was originally created to combat the threat of terrorism," says a spokesman. "However it quickly became obvious that it was helping other forms of crime prevention as well.
"If there is a stolen lorry at the port the camera will pick it up if it has been registered as stolen," he adds.