047/2013 – North Yorkshire Police Automatic Number Plate Recognition Back Office Facility – 20 June 2013

Executive Summary and recommendation:

This report requests approval to develop the replacement of the Back Office Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Facility (BOF). The paper highlights the benefits of a specific ANPR software package and requests that NYP purchase the package. This will improve analysis of ANPR data and keep up to date with other forces who have or will be the same system to allow for joint working.

The benefits if NYP were to purchase the new BOF would not only affect NYP but all forces in the ACPO Number 2 Region (North East) who would be able to easily, reliably and simply share data across boundaries to improve intercept capabilities.

The Executive Board are asked to approve the proposal for an enhanced BOF at a total initial cost of £254.1k;

• Software and 50 client licences £98.1k/li>
• i2 Plug in to allow integration with the new ANPR BOF £7.5k/li>
• Steria STORM plug to allow integration with the new ANPR BOF £10.0k/li>
• Additional revenue costs in the setup period of £38.5k/li>
• ISD approx hardware costs to run software and application £100.0

The Executive Board are also requested to approve the commencement of the procurement process for this project.

Recurring additional revenue costs are currently estimated as £22k pa from year 3 onwards, but this will be clarified further during the procurement process.\

Police and Crime Commissioner decision: approved

Signature Date 20 June 2013
Title Police & Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire

Introduction and Background

Since the introduction of ANPR in 2002 Forces across the UK have been utilising the technology to help assist their staff in combating crime and tracking down known criminals who have entered their regions to commit crimes. Many criminals rely on vehicles to commit crime and ANPR is designed to make it difficult for criminals to use vehicles for illegal purposes without being detected. The technology, coupled with immediate follow up police action via intercept teams, can target criminals through their use of the roads. It allows the police to target known offenders, both whilst they are in action and retrospectively as a part of criminal investigations. Furthermore it increases casualty reduction by detecting and removing unsafe vehicles and drivers from our roads.

Since January 2013, NYP has been developing it’s use of ANPR technologies. A programme is in place to improve the types of technologies we own, where they are located, and how our intercept capability is deployed. This is a wide ranging development area that will consider how we maximise the opportunities of the data collected as a source of intelligence and a valuable reactive and proactive investigative tool. By investing our efforts in this field we will:

• identify suspected offenders and vulnerable people more efficiently and respond in real time.
• Where police resources are under pressure, increase the efficiency of the police in terms of crime prevention, crime detection, counter terrorism and road safety
• Improve the early resolution of serious cases by improving the evidence base.
• Combat the crime perpetrated by those who operate across police force areas.

This will mean that, ultimately, less crime will be experienced by communities in North Yorkshire, more criminals will be caught and convicted and harmful active crime groups will be disrupted.

The first key component of the ANPR development programme to be delivered is the analytical tools that help us to turn the data from the ANPR cameras into intelligence.

Forces use a Back Office facility to analyse the data from ANPR. There is now a necessity to consider how the back office facility is delivered, what analytical capabilities it has and how to interface better ANPR data across the Yorkshire and the Humber region.

Matters for consideration

Where possible and within the current financial constraints, NYP wish to invest in improved technology.. New technologies are now on the market that enhance significantly the analytical capabilities of the back office systems.

A detailed understanding of the desired product specification and benefits is given in Part 2 due to the confidential nature of this equipment.

Options considered

NYP has 2 main options to consider:

• Option 1: To remain with our current system
• Option 2: To replace the current system

Recommendation:

Option 2 is the preferred option.

Contribution to Police and Crime Plan outcomes

The approval of a new Back Office Facility will enhance the ability of ANPR to deliver the crime and policing plan objectives of;

• Embed ANPR into key force business processes to yield the optimum return from investment
• Increase in arrest rate , sanction detections, levels of vehicle and asset seizures and successful prosecution of offenders
• To increase public confidence and reassurance
• To reduce crime and terrorism
• Reduce road traffic casualties and make more efficient use of police resources

Consultations carried out

The status and effectiveness of the NYP ANPR infrastructure has been considered against recent ANPR Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) report (Sept 2012), Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabularies (HMIC) self assessment (Jan 2012) Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) National Police Improvement Agency (NPIA) standards and ACPO Police use of ANPR (The 14 principles January 2013).

Consultations have been carried out with the workforce on the benefits and any current issues surrounding the use of ANPR. Information on the public view of ANPR has been gained from the Police and Crime Plan public consultation March 2013.

Meetings have begun to take place with regional ANPR leads and other forces within the North East region as to the opportunities and potential benefits for the region.

Financial Implications/Value for money

Detailed costs and comments are presented in Part 2

Legal Implications

Having read this report and having considered such information as has been provided at the time of being asked to express this view, The Head of Risk and Assurance on behalf of the Force Solicitor & Head of Legal Services is satisfied that this report does not ask the PCC for North Yorkshire to make a decision which would (or would be likely to) give rise to a contravention of the law.

Equality Implications

Equality impact has been considered and there are no emerging issues

Public Access to information

The Police and Crime Commissioner wishes to be as open and transparent as possible about the decisions he/she takes or are taken in his/her name. All decisions taken by the Commissioner will be subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

As a general principle, the Commissioner expects to be able to publish all decisions taken and all matters taken into account and all advice received when reaching the decision. Part 1 of this Notice will detail all information which the Commissioner will disclose into the public domain. The decision and information in Part 1 will be made available on the NYPCC web site within 2 working days of approval.

Only where material is properly classified as restricted under the GPMS or if that material falls within the description at 2(2) of The Elected Local Policing Bodies (Specified Information) Order 2011 will the Commissioner not disclose decisions and/or information provided to enable that decision to be made. In these instances, Part 2 of the Form will be used to detail those matters considered to be restricted. Information in Part 2 will not be published.

Is there a Part 2 to this Notice – YES
If Yes, what is the reason for restriction

Information provided on how the equipment functions is sensitive.