Police have reassured law abiding residents that they nothing to fear from automatic number plate cameras currently being used across Wycombe neighbourhoods.

Chepping Wye Valley policing area residents may have seen police by the side of the road using the Autmomatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems to monitor traffic coming in and out of the area.

The camera flashes up a warning if it detects a passing vehicle has been involved in a crime or is of interest to the police or DVLA.

Its operator can then make a decision whether that vehicle needs to be stopped by officers.

A similar scheme took place in Marlow in June, where 35 vehicles were stopped during a day-long operation.

But police say concerns from residents about being stopped while going about their normal day are unfounded and that it is a useful tool in catching criminals.

Sergeant Matthew Lloyd said: “The system is also of great value if an offence is committed during its period of operation, as it will give investigators an indication as to which vehicles were coming into and out of the area at that time.

“Equally, a suspect considering committing an offence in our area is less likely to do so if they know their number plate has been captured by our ANPR system.

“Some residents may be concerned that this system is intrusive as it could allow us to monitor normal people going about their daily business.

“The team are keen to emphasise that the ANPR system does not give the user any owner details or addresses, just a list of registration numbers which could also be recorded with a pen and paper.

“Owners details have to be requested from HQ on the audited police national computer and this only happens in exceptional circumstances “Portable ANPR is one of the high profile tools that we have at our disposal to help keep crime down in the Chepping Wye Valley area.”

Operations have recently been used by the local team on Boundary Road, Loudwater and Church Road in Penn. Another team carried out an operation on London Road on Friday 23rd January.

If you have any concerns or questions about the use of the ANPR system or any other matter, the team can be contacted at CheppingWyeValleyNeighbourhoodTeam@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk