Automatic Number Plate Recognition

EDM number 588 in 2002-03, proposed by Tom Watson on 28/01/2003.

That this House welcomes the success of automatic number plate recognition trials which have been undertaken by nine police forces in England and Wales; notes that during the 12 month trial the West Midlands Police Force alone was able to make 1662 arrests, and recovered stolen property worth more than ú500,000; further notes that through the targeted interception of vehicles involved with crime, the West Midlands Police Force saw successful arrest rates per officer of up to 100 arrests a year, almost 10 times the national average; and calls upon the Government to find the necessary funds so that this programme can be rolled out nationwide.

This motion has been signed by a total of 41 MPs.