London Borough of Redbridge is first Local Authority to deploy mobile Automatic Number Plate Recognition solution

Vehicle-based CCTV and computer technology from Civica helps Redbridge monitor and improve safety in the Borough

17th September 2003. London... The London Borough of Redbridge, working with the Metropolitan Police, is the first Local Authority in the UK to deploy mobile Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to help tackle local crime. The Cobra vehicle from Civica, one of the UK's most experienced providers of public sector software and services, features state-of-the-art ANPR software integrated with Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, mobile communications and access to police and other agency databases. Cobra gives Redbridge the freedom and flexibility to drive its cameras to any location in the Borough so that public order can be monitored and crime prevented.

The London Borough of Redbridge has a population of 230,000 across an area of 56km². Reducing crime levels and protecting the public is of paramount importance to the Authority. To help it monitor and address crime hotspots, Redbridge currently has approximately 236 fixed and removable CCTV cameras located across the Borough. While the cameras help monitor and reduce crime within their immediate vicinity, perpetrators can move to areas not covered by the cameras.

Cobra is equipped with a hydraulic mast which can be raised to a height of six metres. Cameras on the mast are controlled by officers inside the specially designed van who can view and record activity within several hundred metres radius of the vehicle.

Matt Gibbs, emergency officer, public protection at London Borough of Redbridge, says: "Cobra gives us the flexibility and freedom that the fixed and removable cameras cannot offer. As well as fulfilling the obvious use of tackling crime in the Borough, we can also use them for crowd safety purposes. We are able to take the cameras to local events such as the annual Town Show, regardless of where they are being held, and monitor the crowds - we can even use the cameras to help find lost children."

The London Borough of Redbridge already has a close working relationship with the Metropolitan Police. By providing the police with access to its ANPR solution, the Borough anticipates that the relationship will be strengthened further as both organisations work together to reduce crime in the area.

Redbridge has ambitious plans for its high tech solution. The Borough plans to install a real-time communication facility within the vehicle in order to assist with any emergency response activities. Images captured by the cameras at the scene of an incident can be instantly relayed to a control room so that decisions can be made based on accurate, real-time information.

Simon Parkes, managing director, Civica Enforcement adds: "The Home Secretary has called for government, the police and security organizations to make more effective use of technology. ANPR is already widely used by enforcement agencies across the country. By investing in this technology, Redbridge is bringing the benefits of ANPR to its immediate community. Redbridge has truly embraced the benefits offered by mobile CCTV and ANPR to help make the area safer for everyone."