Enhanced Vehicle Cameras Boost Rural Crime-Fighting Efforts in Cambridgeshire

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Cambridgeshire Police have introduced new in-vehicle camera technology to help clamp down on rural crime, with early results already demonstrating its effectiveness. The force has fitted four police vehicles with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems, enabling officers to more efficiently identify and track vehicles linked to criminal activity in rural communities.

Two of the new ANPR-equipped vehicles have already assisted in locating a missing person’s car, apprehending a wanted individual, and identifying a cloned van. These initial successes highlight the potential of the technology to support officers in areas that are often more vulnerable due to their remoteness.

Sergeant Tom Nuttall, who leads the Rural Crime Action Team at Cambridgeshire Police, said the technology is already having a tangible impact. “Farms and rural businesses are often in isolated locations, and of course, criminals need vehicles to travel,” he explained. “These new ANPR systems will make a real difference in allowing us to identify vehicles of interest, pursue criminals, and hopefully prevent future crime.”

The funding for the upgraded camera systems came from the National Highways Social Value Fund, which allocated £47,000 towards the initiative. The fund is designed to support community-focused projects that create a lasting benefit beyond traditional infrastructure works.

Lee Galloway, project director at National Highways, welcomed the development, stating: “It’s great to see the funding already making a real difference. Our work isn’t just about building roads and improving junctions, it’s also about leaving a positive and lasting legacy for the people who live and work in the area.”

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) is a widely used surveillance technology that scans vehicle registration plates, allowing police to cross-reference them with databases to detect vehicles that may be stolen, involved in criminal activity, or linked to missing persons.

The strategic deployment of this technology supports a broader push to deter and disrupt criminal behaviour in rural settings, where limited access and longer police response times often leave residents and businesses feeling vulnerable. With the integration of ANPR into local policing, officers can act more swiftly and with greater accuracy.

The move is part of a broader effort by law enforcement and government partners to better equip officers with the tools needed to respond to evolving criminal tactics, especially in regions that often go under the radar.