Challenge
To install a network of ANPR cameras and scan the registration numbers of every vehicle entering The Trafford Centre, thereby significantly reducing fraud, crime and offences committed against vehicles. Working in conjunction with the Greater Manchester Police the system should positively affect crime rates for the whole of the Trafford Borough.

Approach
Through systems integrators Civica, 16 ANPR cameras were installed in strategic locations across the Trafford Centre site, to identify vehicles stolen or wanted for a variety of crimes. All number plates are captured, read and, within seconds, checked against local and national police records, including the PNC – Police National Computer. The response to a captured plate is measured against the nature of the crime involved. The vehicle and its occupants are monitored directly by the centre’s security, working in conjunction with the Greater Manchester Police, so that all movements are recorded until officers arrive.

Results
The Trafford Centre was one of the first shopping centres in the UK to successfully introduce ANPR and the Greater Manchester Police have praised the shopping city as one of the safest in the UK. Over 100 arrests have been made with numerous successful prosecutions.

Crime rates associated with motor vehicles have now fallen by 67% when compared to the same time period between January and April 2003. Other figures show that incidents of fraud have fallen by 20%, the detection rate of offences have increased by 246% and over £31,000 worth of stolen vehicles have been recovered. Within the vicinity of the shopping centre positive effects have also been felt. The Trafford Borough’s crime figures have been reduced and Trafford has achieved the highest reduction in crime since April 2003 compared to any other area across Greater Manchester.
Examples of successful prosecutions include:

• A person wanted by the serious crime squad in West Yorkshire visited the Trafford Centre driving a £50,000 stolen BMW and in possession of multiple driving licenses and credit cards in different names. Currently awaiting Crown Court Sentence.
• An individual wanted for a car crime was detected as he entered the site in an outstanding stolen vehicle. He received a five month custodial sentence and a driving ban.
• A recently disqualified driver visited the site and received 180 days in a youth offender institute. (Information from Trafford Centre Website)

Client Quote
“The system has been a great success and has been extremely effective in cracking down on criminals entering the site. The system is continually being enhanced and new features will allow us to target partnership resources even more effectively. Our partnership with the Centre has been extremely beneficial in terms of reducing crime and detecting criminals which not only benefits the Centre, its visitors and retailers but the wider community as a whole.”

Inspector James Liggett at Trafford