Crime detecting car launched in Plymouth

MOTORISTS who park on double yellow lines or drive in bus lanes will face having their actions recorded by the latest camera car introduced by the police and council.

The car, a Toyota IQ with a remote controlled camera mounted on a five-foot pole on the roof, is being introduced by Plymouth City Council and the Devon and Cornwall Safety Camera Partnership for a three-month trial period.

The car is clearly marked and officers have stressed that its primary purpose is to deter motorists who are causing a nuisance to others, rather than to catch people and issue tickets.

Andy Sharp, public transport controller for Plymouth City Council, said the camera car was being introduced in response to community concerns and complaints.

He said the car will be manned at different times by council workers or police officers, who will target bus lane infringements, driving while using mobile phones or without seat belts, and parking that creates a danger, such as on zig zags outside schools.

He said: "Hopefully it will create a behavioural change, because people will see it and they won't know if it's going to be in the same place next time they drive past.

"We have the flexibility of using it in different places at different times - it can be outside a school in the morning and then when it's not needed there, go somewhere else.

"It's more cost effective than having lots of static cameras."

The car will be deployed in areas where complaints have been made about obstructions to the road or pavement, such as outside schools, and where bad driving is causing congestion.

Plymouth City Council public transport officer Mark Porter said; "It's to the benefit of the law abiding motorist."

Further distinctive livery is to be added to the car before it is deployed.