ANPR checks conducted by Met Police, on behalf of TFL and at the request of TFL.
Request ID: FOI-4102-2324 Date published: 23 February 2024
You asked
Under FOI legislation, I would like to know the following:-
How many times within the dates of 01/01/23 to 31/12/23 did TFL contact The Metropolitan Police to request a search on the National Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) database, regarding vehicles that had been issued with a Penalty Charge Notice by TFL, in order to verify a vehicles movements on a particular time/date.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-4102-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on11 February 2024 asking for information about Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera checks. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require.
Congestion Charging and Ultra Low Emission Zone charging schemes operate using Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology. Each entry point to, and exit from, the zones are clearly signed and as a vehicle enters, leaves or drives within the zone its registration is recorded by one of our ANPR cameras along with an image of the vehicle.
A vehicle may be recorded on more than one occasion, however the system automatically retains the clearest image of the vehicle. The other images and records of the vehicle are deleted. The records of the vehicle are then used for identifying if a charge needs to be levied on an Auto Pay account or, if a charge is due and has not been purchased, issuing a PCN.
We do not request information from the police for the purpose of tracing a vehicle’s movement when issuing a PCN.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely,
Mary Abidakun FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
