067/2013 – North Yorkshire Police (NYP) Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system upgrade. – 24 September 2013

Executive Summary and recommendation:

This paper requests approval to progress an upgrade to existing Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras to dedicated ANPR cameras that comply with the National Approved ANPR Standards for Policing (NAASP). This paper details the current situation and the options available as well as the risks if no action is taken.

The Executive Board are asked to approve the enhancement of ANPR service provision;

• Replacement of six CCTV cameras covering six lanes of traffic with six high definition (HD) internet protocol (IP) ANPR cameras covering twelve lanes of traffic £43k
• ISD hardware £18.75k (This figure is dependent on the findings of upcoming testing and accounts for 2 x additional readers and no option for growth)
• Year 2 onwards ISD equipment maintenance and support £0.5k per annum
• Year 2 onwards maintenance and support £2.8k per annum
• Capital Funding to be set aside from the Plant & Equipment Rolling Programme monies
• Approval requested to commence procurement

If approved this would support the ANPR development plan and maximise the benefits highlighted within the Police and Crime Plan 2013-2017 for ANPR.

Police and Crime Commissioner decision:

Approved

Signature Date 24 September 2013
Title Police & Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire

Part 1 – Unrestricted facts and advice to the PCC

Introduction and background

ANPR is an invaluable tool for the police to disrupt travelling criminals and deny the use of the road network to commit crime.

ANPR cameras work by scanning vehicle registration numbers and checking them against information stored in databases to identify vehicles connected to criminality.

It can be used locally across force, regional borders and nationally allowing effective, collaborative responses to ongoing incidents and investigations.

ANPR has already proven its worth as an invaluable tool in bringing criminals to justice and making our communities safer. This latest investment sends a clear warning to criminals that North Yorkshire Police is determined to keep them out of our county and the organisation will do everything in its power to stop them.

There is a functioning ANPR system in operation based on CCTV cameras but these cameras are not able to meet the required NAASP standards.

These ANPR proposals support key elements of the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan, and show NYP is investing in the future to reduce harm to individuals and communities suffering from cross border crime and rural crime.

Matters for consideration

Detailed understanding of product specification and benefits is given in Part 2 due to the confidential nature of this equipment and its deployment

Other options considered.

NYP has three main options to consider:

Option 1: To allow the system to continue to operate as at present but not in accordance with NAASP.

Option 2: To return the cameras to being CCTV cameras and removing all ANPR equipment. Thus removing all ANPR functionality.

Option 3: To implement the solution as outlined in this document to achieve a fully functioning ANPR system that complies with NAASP.

Recommendation: Option 3 is the preferred option.

Contribution to Police and Crime Plan outcomes

The approval of this notice 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
• Improved intelligence gathering and post incident interrogation
• Improved intercept capability
• 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
• Future proof our ANPR infrastructure

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 issues surrounding ANPR. Information on the public view of ANPR has been gained from the Police and Crime Plan public consultation March 2013. Consultation has also taken place with NYP Counter Terrorism Security Advisors (CTSA’s).

Meetings have taken 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 are presented in Part 2.

There is no funding set aside in the MTFP for this project, and if approved it will need to be funded from the Plant & Equipment Rolling Programme. The additional revenue costs will be included in the Revenue budget going forward.

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 Force Solicitor & Head of Legal Services is satisfied that this report does not ask the Commissioner 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

Reason for restriction – Operationally sensitive