THE BEADY eye of the law is keeping a close watch on the area with two Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.
Last year the Saddleworth and Lees District Executive allocated £10,000 towards the purchase of the mobile cameras to help tackle crime.
The devices – operated by Greater Manchester Police officers – will now be deployed on main roads around the district.
The new cameras will record vehicle registration numbers and give to-the-minute details about whether a car is legally on the road.
The devices could also help officers trace which vehicle was in an area following reports of a crime – particularly useful in the fight against cross-border crime.
Councillor Val Sedgwick, Chair of Saddleworth and Lees District Executive, said: “The District Executive is committed to fighting crime and anti-social behaviour in the district and also to working closely with Greater Manchester Police.
“Due to the huge size and largely rural makeup of the area some criminals think they can just drive into the area, carry out their crime and then head off home without being seen.
“These new cameras will allow officers to log the details of cars, including those of known offenders, so they can hopefully stop a criminal act before it has even been carried out.”
Detective Sergeant Trevor Eaton from GMP added: “We will not allow the safety of our roads to be compromised and ANPR cameras are a vital resource in that effort.
“The technology is used to detect vehicles which are either connected to crime or being driven illegally and can scan more than 3,000 number plates an hour.
“There is a strong link between the illegal use of vehicles and other types of crime, and we will use all equipment available to identify and bring offenders to justice.
“People can help keep criminals off the roads by calling police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
