ANPR Cameras – A Comprehensive Guide

You’ve likely seen an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera at some point on the roads. Especially as they have been used in the UK for over 15 years, they’re becoming a more frequent sight.

Here at Brunel Fire and security, we have been designing, installing and maintaining class-leading ANPR systems across Bristol and the rest of the UK for over 25 years. For more information on our outstanding system or to book a free site survey, be sure to talk to our Bristol-based team on 0117 259 1000.

If you’re not an ANPR expert, and you’re looking to find out more about how it works and how such a system could help keep your business premises safe, be sure to read on.

What is an Automatic Number Plate Recognition Camera?

If you’ve seen an ANPR camera, but aren’t sure how one works, the title gives away most of its working. An ANPR camera will automatically take photos of vehicles moving along the road and then use license plate recognition to capture the information on the car’s registration plate. The camera will capture two images, one of the entire car and then one of the information on the number plate, then hold them on file. This information is then cross-referenced with the Police National Computer to get further information about the vehicle and its owner.

How Do ANPR Cameras Work?

The technology behind ANPR cameras is simply just closed-circuit TV (CCTV). However, it works using specially adapted technology, The cameras are fitted with infra-red sensors, to allow for a clear image of the number plate and it allows them to work at night. The system is also fitted with special software that allows the camera to look for the information it requires, such as the number plate, on the image. This all works through a process known as ‘machine learning’.

So, essentially, an ANPR camera will ‘read’ a number plate by separating the characters from the rest of the image. Then, once this is down, the information will be set alongside the image to the police.

What are ANPR Cameras Used For?

ANPR cameras are predominantly used by the police for tackling criminal drivers. They can be incredibly useful for the police to look for people without having to employ lots of officers, which of course is very expensive.

All the police need to do is put an alert in on the national computer as soon as a driver is wanted by the police, so the ANPR registers the number plate as soon as it is seen.

An ANPR system is used by the police when looking for suspects, in crimes such as;

• Locating stolen vehicles
• Tackling uninsured driving
• Solving cases of terrorism
• Major and organised crime

How Can a Business Benefit from ANPR?

Even though they are utilised by the police, ANPR systems can offer a powerful and cost-effective method for controlling access and monitoring vehicles that enter your premises. These number plates can be stored, analysed and retrieved as required and the system can even run 24/7.

One main application of ANPR in a business setting is business parking monitoring and management. Nothing is more frustrating than people spending too long in your parking, using up spaces when they aren’t visiting your business. ANPR cameras can therefore be sued at the entry and exit of car parks to accurately locate every car that enters and exits, making it easy to determine how long each vehicle has been parked in the car park.

Further Benefits of ANPR

This technology can be used for a wide range of applications to give visitors a secure and efficient service whilst providing you with the best return on investment through increased charge enforcement.

If you are a private car park owner, handling and managing complaints and challenging unauthorised users can quickly become a huge resource and financial drain. ANPR will provide you with irrefutable proof to support your argument when making a case against unauthorised users. This evidence will also reduce the time and money spent tackling what would have been a difficult case.

If you require car park users to pay, you can also integrate ANPR data to match up vehicle details and reduce manual entry errors. So, not only will this provide the motorist with confidence, but also an easy-to-use system that allows you to monitor the duration of the stay along with whether or not they have paid.

ANPR can also help in investigations. Nothing is worse than a car being damaged in your car park, especially if it is an employee’s. The footage from the ANPR cameras can serve as excellent evidence and provide you with valuable information in crime and incident data.

Find Out More About Our ANPR Systems in Bristol

ANPR systems can be an excellent choice for business premises in Bristol. If you think that your business could benefit from such a security solution, make sure to get in touch with the team here at Brunel Fire & Security today on 0117 259 1000.

As a company, we are experts in ANPR systems in Bristol and can provide a solution tailored exactly to your requirements and fully backed by our NSI Gold Standard Alarm Receiving Centre. We are also SAFE contractor and CHAS accredited, so have the confidence that the ANPR camera system we provide will fit your business needs exactly.

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