Plans to introduce new roadside number plate recognition cameras in Brean are on track despite lengthy delays in getting them set up, frustrated councillors in the village have been assured this week.
Burnham-On-Sea.com was first to report in January that roadside number plate cameras were set to be introduced in Burnham, Brean and Highbridge in a bid to crackdown on travelling criminals and vehicle crime.
Sergeant Ian Kennett of Burnham police said the new cameras would have a “major impact” in helping officers target travelling criminals.
But, eight months on, and there is no sign of the promised cameras being introduced – much to the frustration of councillors in Brean.
Parish Council Chairman Joan Jackman has written in the latest edition of Brean’s newsletter: “Still we do not have the Number Recognition Camera in place. The latest is the Highways will not give permission for any to be erected in this part of Somerset unless the Police will allow them immediate and unrestricted viewing of the camera details. This the police cannot do as such viewing breaks privacy restrictions, so again deadlock.”
But police beat manager Constable Andy Beake told Burnham-On-Sea.com on Monday that despite a few delays, the camera should be introduced soon.
“A licence has been granted for BT to install the connections to the camera and something should be in place soon,” he confirmed.
Jan Hookings, spokeswoman for the county council, added: “Automatic Number Plate Recognition Cameras in the Burnham area are on private land. Data-sharing is not an issue as Somerset County Council has no control over ANPR cameras on private land.”
