In an effort to tackle unauthorised parking more effectively, Hillingdon Council has initiated a two-week trial of advanced Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology. This cutting-edge system is mounted on a vehicle equipped with ANPR cameras, designed to identify and enforce against unauthorised parking within the council’s parking management schemes.
The trial aims to enhance the efficiency of parking enforcement across the borough. Traditionally, Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) patrol the area on foot, manually inspecting parked vehicles with handheld devices. However, the new ANPR-equipped vehicle allows for a broader and quicker sweep of the area, significantly increasing the number of checks performed in a shorter timeframe.
The ANPR cameras are integrated with the council’s parking permit database, automatically flagging potential violations for the CEOs to manually verify. This system ensures that the enforcement process is both accurate and thorough, checking for necessary permits, exemptions, visitor permits, and blue badges. It is important to note that not all alerts will result in a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN); manual verification will determine the legitimacy of each case.
The results of the trial will be analysed before the council makes a final decision on further implementation of the vehicle across the borough.
Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services said: “We’re committed to being a digital-enabled, modern council, while putting our residents first. The trial is a fantastic way to maximise officer time in cracking down on those who fail to follow our parking restrictions and ensure that parking remains accessible and fair to residents with valid permits within their neighbourhoods.”
