FOUR ARRESTED AND SEVENTEEN ILLEGAL VEHICLES REMOVED FROM THE ROAD IN BROXBOURNE
 
Dear Coordinator,

CRIMINALS AND UNSAFE DRIVERS were sent a clear message to keep out of the county after Hertfordshire Constabulary teamed up with Essex Police and the Metropolitan Police for a partnership Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) operation in the Broxbourne area.

The activity on 28 April, led by Hertfordshire's specialist ANPR Intercept Unit under the force-wide banner of Operation Sentinel, resulted in four arrests in Hertfordshire for: taking a vehicle without consent and driving without insurance or a valid license, two arrests for theft of motor vehicles and possession of Class A drugs.

Seventeen unsafe, illegal vehicles were also taken off the road, and 45 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) were handed out for offences including using a mobile phone whilst driving, not wearing a seatbelt and driving without insurance.

"This successful operation was just one of many we carry out with our neighbouring forces, and I'd like to thank all involved for playing their part in keeping criminals from crossing the county's borders," commented Sergeant Dominic Buck, who led the operation. "Combined with the daily presence of the ANPR Intercept Teams along with all the work carried out locally by Neighbourhood Officers, Road Policing Officers and others across the county, it demonstrates our commitment to keep the law-abiding community safe from uninsured, dangerous drivers and those looking to commit crime.

"The message is simple - if you're looking to break the law and put innocent motorists at risk, then keep out of Hertfordshire or there's a very good chance you'll be caught."

Operation Sentinel launched in June 2009 and has seen the introduction of two Intercept teams, as well work across the Constabulary by Neighbourhood Teams, Road Policing, the Force Communications Room and the Special Constabulary, amongst others.

How does ANPR work?
ANPR devices are used by police around the UK to detect and remove serious criminals including burglars, robbers, drug dealers and fraudsters - and unsafe vehicles and unsafe drivers from the roads.

ANPR instantly highlights suspicious vehicles to officers so the vehicles can be stopped and the ‘flagged' issues investigated. The camera can read a number plate every second, and compares it against a variety of local and national databases. It offers a more targeted approach than traditional methods, meaning fewer law-abiding motorists have their journeys interrupted and more criminals and unsafe vehicles are taken off the road.
If you need to reply by email click on my address here: kyle.price2@herts.pnn.police.uk.

Kyle Price
Watch Liaison Officer
Neighbourhood Watch
Email: kyle.price2@herts.pnn.police.uk
Tel: 01992 533835