Suspicious cold calling

Sat 3 Jan, 14:52 (last edited on Sat 3 Jan, 15:10)

As I understand things ANPR cameras (try to) read every car's number plate as it passes, but they only flag vehicles for further checks if the plate matches a database record for being stolen, uninsured, linked to a crime, or having no tax/MOT. I'm not sure how much interest is shown if a car simply lacks an MOT or road tax. Technically, the driver of such a car could be issued with an automatic fine, but I don't think this happens in every case.

ANPR cameras also record and store other vehicle number plates and store them for a specific amount of time, and can be looked through by police officers if they are interested in scams or potential crimes in a local area.

So, when my car number plates were stolen about a month ago, the local bobby who called at my door -- having noticed that the number plates were missing -- made a point of saying that he would try to look through the local ANPR records next time he was on duty. I therefore tried to provide TVP with accurate information regarding the date and time when they were stolen -- not that this helped in my particular case, at least as far as I know.

Sat 3 Jan, 12:16

ANPR  A= automatic, if a vehicle is 'wanted', then it is detected, no-one has to look through records. If it's not 'wanted', then it is not triggered, but still recorded. That doesn't mean the occupants would be of interest or not though, which is another matter.

Fri 2 Jan, 09:45

Simon, unless you alert TVP of the need to look though their ANPR recordings, it's very unlikely that something suspicious will be spotted. 

It's in any case fairly unlikely that looking through the records will produce results, but date, approximate time and number plate would certainly help increase the odds.

I'm uncomfortable about the use of ANPR cameras, and am not sure we were properly consulted about the need for them in Charlbury. But if they are there, we might at least incentivise the police to look through their records. 

Thu 1 Jan, 20:39

The registration number Howard has given is not quite correct.  Let's just see if TVP's vice-presidential monitoring camera managed to pick them up.

Thu 1 Jan, 19:06

Charlie is right. If Howard or Simon is sure that these are the correct details of the number plate, I suggest contacting our local police: www.thamesvalley.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/  

Thu 1 Jan, 17:27

Interestingly that registration number does not exist according to the MOT Checking site. 

Thu 1 Jan, 17:03

The same entrepreneurial gents that offered to clean our gutters.

Thu 1 Jan, 14:01

Had a call from 4 young men who said they had come to fix my loose roof tiles. They were politely and firmly sent on their way, vehicle reg PN58PBD, grey Citroen Berlingo or Peugot Rifter. Location Sturt Road @ 12 45 today.