KEEN twitter fans may have noticed that Cheshire Police have been using a new hashtag recently in the form of #Intercept – the new branding for all Cheshire Police Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) operations.
The name was introduced earlier this month following a significant investment programme in the force ANPR capability both in terms of the static and mobile cameras.
The cameras mean the force is able to monitor virtually every vehicle that travels across the county and identify any suspicious vehicle and vehicles which are believed to be linked to organised criminals.
Superintendent Martin Cleworth said: “ANPR provides a vital tool in the fight against crime, and when used effectively it can help prevent crimes before they occur.
“We know that criminals often travel to other areas when committing crimes, and we also know that there is as strong link between the use of illegal vehicles and other types of serious crime.
“By using this technology we are able to use the intelligence available to us to identify offenders and intercept them before they go on to commit any crimes.”
The force has already had a number of successful roads policing operations which have used ANPR technology. At the last operation, Operation Crossbow in Widnes, officers stopped nearly 150 vehicles, seized 10 and made seven arrests.
Superintendent Cleworth added: “Over the past 12 months the force has invested significantly in ANPR and following this investment we want to ensure that we are making the best use of the technology that we have to make our communities safe by disrupting the criminal use of the road network.
“The aim of Intercept is to maximise the use of the ANPR system and use all of the intelligence available to us, to ensure that we have the right people in the right place at the right time to stop crimes before they occur.
“The message is clear – you use stolen vehicles, you drive illegally, you travel the roads to commit crime, then we will target you.”
To keep up to date with latest news from #Intercept follow @CheshirePolice.
Police target organised criminals on the road
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