Fifty number plate scanners for Garda

An Garda Síochána is to get more than 50 Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems to detect stolen cars and clamp down on untaxed and speeding vehicles.

The decision to buy the system follows a successful pilot of the technology in four Garda divisions last year. The new technology is expected to be in place by autumn, with a European tender issued in the next four weeks.

Chief Supt John Farrelly of the Garda Traffic Corps said the technology would restrict the ability of criminals to use the road network. The system operates by downloading a file of stolen or missing cars and untaxed vehicles from the Garda's Pulse computer database every day into computers connected to the ANPR system.

A Garda vehicle fitted with two small in-car infrared cameras - one facing to the front and the other to the rear - then scans number plates on passing cars during its patrols. This allows for analysis of registration plates of all vehicles passing in both directions, regardless of whether the Garda vehicle is moving or parked. When a registration number from one of the files is detected, it alerts the Garda, allowing them to stop the motorist.

Chief Supt Farrelly said there would be roughly two for every Garda division. He said the system would be able to trace stolen or suspect vehicles with Northern Ireland registration plates also.

The ANPR systems will also check for untaxed vehicles, although not as yet for insurance or having an up-to-date NCT certificate. The cameras will also double as mobile speed cameras, although they will not issue fixed charge penalties.

Farrelly declined to comment on the cost of the project, saying it could prejudice the tender process. However, The Irish Timesunderstands that ANPR units cost between €40,000 to €70,000, suggesting an overall cost of up to €3.5 million if 50 are bought.

The Garda currently has four ANPR cameras which were used in the pilot project. This tested the ability of the UK-designed technology to read Irish number-plates.

Chief Supt Farrelly said that these units remained operational. He said the cameras are particularly useful for high-volume traffic areas, such as dual-carriagways where checkpoints are not always feasible.

The new technology raises data protection issues and the Garda has held meetings with the data protection commissioner. "There are data protection-related issues. That is part of the roll-out process, and we have had meetings with the data protection commissioner in relation to it and that is ongoing," he said.

Aside from traffic offences, ANPR systems will also give the Garda the ability to track the movement of large numbers of vehicles being used by criminals.

"It will have an impact in trying to prevent criminals from having access to the road. The more units we have out there doing this, the more it curtails their ability to traverse undetected from one end of the country to another."

Separately, the Garda said 346 motorists had been arrested over the bank holiday weekend. So far this year 123 people have been killed on the roads, 26 fewer than at this stage last year.