MBE for 'number plate' policeman

Insp Nick Purdie advised ministers on number plate detection

A policeman responsible for developing and deploying cutting edge Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology has been appointed an MBE.

Northamptonshire Police's Insp Nick Purdie, 44, was given the award in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Insp Purdie has been a police officer for 21 years and is currently a member of the Road Policing Unit.

He is working on a project to share crime intelligence and ANPR data across the five forces in the East Midlands.

Insp Purdie was responsible for setting up the ANPR teams in Northampton and as Staff Officer to the then Deputy Chief Constable Frank Whiteley, he became involved in the project at a national level.

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In 2004 Insp Purdie was seconded to the Home Office, where for three years he worked on the development and deployment of ANPR technology across the country.

This involved him briefing Ministers and developing national legislation relating to such things as the seizure of uninsured vehicles.

Insp Purdie said: "It was a challenge and a privilege to be able to make a contribution to work which is so important to the detection of crime at all levels. This award is the icing on the cake."

Northamptonshire's Chief Constable Peter Maddison said the force was delighted that Nick's contribution to policing has been rewarded.

"As well as being a richly deserved personal honour for him, this award is recognition of the influence that Northamptonshire Police has at a national level. We are all extremely pleased and proud," he added.