POLICE OPERATION PUTS THE BRAKES ON TRAVELLING CRIMINALS


A POLICE OPERATION in the Hemel Hempstead and Redbourn areas using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology has resulted in the arrest of ten people – five of whom have already been charged - for offences including burglary, drugs possession and driving whilst under the influence of alcohol.

The ANPR Unit was out in force over February 12 to February 16 to specifically target criminals driving through the county, as part of the countywide campaign Operation Sentinel. As well as ten people arrested, nine unsafe and illegal vehicles were taken off the road. Thirty people received penalty tickets for offences including not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone etc.

T/Inspector for ANPR Grant Finnie commented: “ANPR is an incredibly useful tool to modern-day policing, helping officers to bring to justice criminals such as drug dealers, burglars, robbers and dangerous drivers.

“This type of operation is just one of the ways we target criminals using the county's roads to help keep law-abiding motorists and Hertfordshire residents safe and, under Operation Sentinel, we will continue to do so day in and day out.”

The arrests included:
Twenty-eight year old Gonzo Valentine from Gilderdale, Luton, was charged with driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance. He has been bailed to appear at Central Herts Magistrates Court on March 1.

A 19-year-old man from Harpenden was cautioned for making off without payment.

Forty-two-year-old Henry Donwa from Dunsmore Road, Luton, was charged with driving otherwise than in accordance with a license and driving without insurance. He has been bailed to appear at West Herts Magistrates Court on March 9.

A 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of immigration and fraud offences. He is currently in police custody.

A 47-year-old man from Luton was arrested on suspicion of immigration offences and is currently in police custody.

Twenty-eight-year-old Tahir Ahmed from Rymill Street, London, was charged with using a document with the intent to deceive and perverting the course of justice. He has been bailed to appear at Central Herts Magistrates on March 1.

Fifty-year-old Mark Eagles from Brickmakers Lane, Hemel Hempstead, was charged with driving with alcohol above the limit. He is due to appear at West Herts Magistrates Court on 26 February,

A 23-year-old man from Hemel Hempstead has been arrested on suspicion of attempted shoplifting and has been police bailed until February 28.

A 16-year-old boy from Hemel Hempstead was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled drug. He has been bailed to appear at West Herts Youth Court on March 3.

A 28-year-old man from London has been arrested on suspicion of burglary. He is currently in police custody.

How does ANPR work?
ANPR highlights suspicious vehicles to officers so the vehicles can be stopped and the ‘flagged' issues investigated. The camera can read a number plate every second, and compares it against a variety of local and national databases. It offers a more targeted approach than traditional methods, meaning fewer law-abiding motorists have their journeys interrupted and more criminals and unsafe vehicles are taken off the road.

Operation Sentinel launched in June 2009 and has seen the introduction of two Intercept teams, as well work across the Constabulary by Neighbourhood Teams, Road Policing, the Force Communications Room and the Special Constabulary, amongst others.

February 2010