Police clampdown on car criminals

Each camera can check 3,000 number plates per hour

More than 150 vehicles were stopped and eight people arrested during a police operation in Bristol using automatic number plate recognition cameras.

Eighteen vehicles were seized for alleged offences including no insurance and disqualified driving.

Officers also issued 45 fixed penalty notices during Wednesday's operation in Winterstoke Road.

A police spokesman said officers also received a significant amount of useful information during the operation.

"Using this we will continue to focus our efforts on addressing anti-social behaviour and drug-related crime across all Bristol neighbourhoods," he added.

The automatic number plate recognition system uses a computer which reads number plates and checks the registration to see if the car has valid insurance and MoT test records.

It can check up to 3,000 vehicles per hour against various police and government databases.