Headlines: March 31st, 2010

Funding given to the police in April 2009 to deter criminals and increase the prospect of conviction is now delivering results. The technology they bought included automatic number plate recognition systems, tracking equipment, forensic scanners, intruder alarms, CCTV and property marking kits.

Some forces have used the funding to set up ‘trap houses’ and ‘trap vehicles’. These are used in areas which police believe are being targeted by burglars. When criminals break into the property or vehicle, they could be recorded by hidden cameras or any items taken may be remote tagged or marked with ultraviolet inks allowing police to quickly track it down and make arrests.

In Oxford a prolific burglar was jailed for two years and nine months after being caught breaking into a ‘trap room’ set up in halls of residence at a university in the city. He initially denied the offence but when officers showed him the video footage he admitted the offence in full.

In some areas the funding was used to increase the number of traffic cameras which were linked to the vehicle number plate recognition system. This made it easier for suspect vehicles to be spotted and flagged to police.