New technology helps Police identify a number of vehicles of interest

A pilot project using Automated Number Plate Recognition technology has seen the discovery of a number of stolen vehicles and vehicles of interest in recent times.

Wellington Police District became part of a pilot project in August last year. The Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology identifies any vehicles of interest to Police, by running number plates through a specialised computer programme.

Senior Sergeant Simon Feltham of the Wellington Police says people may have seen a van driving around suburban streets in Wellington city in recent weeks, which has the ANPR technology onboard. This has led to the location of a number of vehicles, which had previously been reported stolen.

"This new technology gives Police a greater ability to locate any vehicles of interest, from stolen vehicles to vehicles being driven by a disqualified driver."

The ANPR van has been deployed to all parts of the Wellington Police District in recent months - the Wairarapa, Kapiti Mana and the Hutt Valley.

"The community also has a role to play in assisting us with identifying any suspicious vehicles in their neighbourhoods."

Senior Sergeant Feltham says if a car has been parked in your street for a couple of weeks, give Police a call with the registration number.