Bendigo Highway Patrol’s new car automatically scanned more than 750 number plates in its first two hours of operation on Tuesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The BMW is the first of 221 units to be deployed across the state over the next two years and is equipped with Victoria Police’s new automatic number plate recognition system.
Acting Sergeant Lee Clayton said the new system was another tool in local members’ kits to help detect offenders.
“In the past, members have been able to a maximum 200 registrations per shift by manual entering data into the terminal,” he said.
“These vehicles give us the ability to scan between 4000 and 5000 cars in any shift. It's a massive increase.”
Data relating to a car’s registration status, driver’s licence status of registered owner, potential sheriff’s warrants and whether a vehicle or its number plates are stolen are all available to members on the road.
Acting Sergeant Clayton said the new in-car video technology would also benefit police members.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.