[privacy] Australian gov't revs up license plate cameras

["Richard M. Smith" <rms () computerbytesman com>]

http://www.news.com/Australian-govt-revs-up-license-plate-cameras/2100-1029_
3-6227015.html?tag=nefd.top

CrimTrac, the Australian government's criminal information and intelligence
agency, is taking the first steps toward developing a nationwide automatic
number plate recognition system to capture the vehicle details of suspects
and citizens alike. 

Australia already has some ANPR systems fitted to existing road surveillance
<http://www.news.com/2300-7348_3-6224342-1.html?tag=st.nl> equipment,
including speed cameras <http://www.news.com/2300-1028_3-6130201-1.html> ,
to scan and read the license plates of passing vehicles at a rate of up to
five or six cars a second. Once captured, the data is checked against a
database featuring a "hot list" of registration numbers and plates. 

"We have various agencies across a number of states already using ANPR
technology," said Darren Booy, ANPR program manager for CrimTrac. 

"At the moment, we're conducting a scoping study to determine the
feasibility of implementing a national ANPR network," he said. 

The study will conclude late this year, after which a report will be issued
to police ministers across the country and a range of other government
departments at state and federal levels. 

According to Booy, CrimTrac <http://www.crimtrac.gov.au/>  expects a
national rollout will take anywhere between one to four years, depending on
the response to the report and how long it takes to secure funding for the
project. 

One of the most extensive ANPR networks has already been installed in the
U.K. The nationwide rollout was implemented in 2003 by the Home Office and
23 police forces across England and Wales, to allow police to trace vehicles
that have been stolen or used in crimes. 

"We looked at the U.K. experience as part of the study; it's probably the
most advanced integration of ANPR technology anywhere in the world, and
we'll draw on those experiences, but primarily it will have to suit the
Australian context," said Booy. 

Booy told ZDNet Australia that part of the study will involve an initial
approach to market, offering vendors the chance to express their interest in
partnering with the government, CrimTrac and the various state and territory
police forces; in order to develop the surveillance
<http://www.news.com/Big-Brother-cameras-listen-for-fights/2100-1029_3-61378
88.html> network. 

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