New digital cameras read number plates in an instant

By RUTH BERRY, political reporter

Police may invest in new hidden cameras that recognise vehicle number plates.

The latest intelligence-gathering equipment is already in use in Britain where it is used to catch burglars and people driving stolen cars, as well as for counter-terrorism.

Police Commissioner Rob Robinson told Parliament's law and order select committee yesterday police were considering introducing the digital number plate recognition technology.

British police experts had recently been in New Zealand and gave a presentation on the technology "which offers a lot of opportunity we think".

A British recruit to New Zealand had been responsible for implementing the system in Hampshire.

"We've been using his expertise to build an assessment of it and to consider taking forward a business case for funding that technology to Government."

In Britain the cameras, which check number plates instantaneously, are placed in undercover vans and the information is relayed to police squads stationed nearby.

National's Tony Ryall, who questioned Mr Robinson on the issue, later said he supported the idea.

He believed it could make a significant dent in car thefts.

But Green MP Keith Locke said later he believed a cautious approach should be taken to the use of the technology, for reasons of privacy and inconvenience.

Mr Robinson also confirmed that police were testing stab-resistant body armour and he intended to provide it for all frontline staff.

Police Minister George Hawkins joined Mr Robinson before the committee, where both were grilled about public confidence in the police.

Mr Hawkins conceded he had been worried about a drop in confidence following allegations, now under investigation, by Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas that she was raped and violated by three police officers in 1986.

Mr Robinson also defended himself against an attack from National MP Brian Connell, who asked why he got a 25 per cent pay increase over the past two years - taking his salary to between $330,000 and $440,000 - when staff got only got a 5 per cent rise.

Mr Robinson said the increase was set by the Higher Salaries Commission, not determined by him.