Dyfed Powys Police are regularly using ANPR technology to tackle criminals.
ANPR is an effective roads policing and crime reduction tool that is capable of identifying vehicles of interest regardless of traffic speeds, weather or lighting conditions.
It is a valuable tool in the campaign to keep the force safe as it identifies vehicles where criminal activity is suspected or a road traffic offence has been committed and allows people lawfully using our roads to continue to do so unhindered.
Experience has shown there are very strong links between illegal use of motor vehicles on the road and other types of serious crime.
In an average month in Dyfed Powys, ANPR has over 127,000 vehicles 'hit' which means vehicles which are of interest to the police or other agencies. This includes over 71,500 for DVLA for no registered keeper and over 26,800 for DVLA with no tax. Also, over 14,500 for no insurance and over 14,700 vehicles which had intelligence on them.
Chief Inspector Phil Davies said: "ANPR is particularly valuable to road safety, highlighting individuals driving without insurance, driving license or MOT.
"From February 2008-09, over 1,500 cars were seized under section 165 of the Road Traffic Act for the driver having no insurance or no licence - a significant amount of these would have been down to ANPR hits.
"ANPR has also been highly effective in helping catch travelling criminals who come to Dyfed Powys.
"We would like to reassure people that ANPR does not 'track' every journey. It is intelligence based and flags plates which are linked to criminality."
Chief Inspector Davies added: "A number of our police vehicles are also equipped with ANPR. Our message to criminals if you think of committing crime in Dyfed Powys don't bother - ANPR will be tracking you and helping us to keep our communities safe."