CAMERAS which recognise number plates can now be used to catch dangerous drivers, thanks to a road safety group in Stroud.

Road safety groups were concerned they might be stopped from using cameras that recognise number plates and using the information to track down dangerous drivers, as it would conflict with data protection legislation, aimed at safeguarding personal information.

But now, following a challenge from a body in Stroud, the Surveillance Camera Commissioner, a Home Office appointed watchdog, has declared the use of ANPR for tracking speeding motorists ethical and legitimate.

Charles Pedrick, who lives in Rodborough, is the chairman of the GCARSG – Gloucestershire Community ANPR Road Safety Group.

He said, “GDPR had looked like ending the use of data from community speed cameras, many of which are funded and supported by the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office and parish councils.

“But thanks to the financial support of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC in Gloucestershire, we were able to mount a challenge.

"That has resulted in our safety group getting accreditation and now other local schemes can take similar action with the reasonable expectation of being accredited too.

“I think the Police and Crime Commissioner and his office deserve great credit because without the funding and their support, the system might have been turned off. Instead, the assessor stated that he was happy we are using an ANPR system and we have a certificate to prove it.”

Unlike conventional speed cameras, ANPRs can record a vehicle’s speed, number plate, time, date and photograph it.

The software can also record dates which can be used to identify persistent speeders who would be given a warning by letter - and in the most extreme cases a visit from the police.

The assessment by the Surveillance Camera Commissioner looked at surveillance camera systems in the context of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.

It found that number plates did not have any personal information attached to them until translated by either the DVLA or the Police National Computer.

It concluded that groups like the Gloucestershire Community ANPR Road Safety Group could share number plates, in the interest of crime prevention and road safety.