§ Viscount Simonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What advice the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) have given to police forces on front-photos of vehicles taken by GATSO speed cameras; and whether they have updated their 1995 advice. [HL2888]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe identification of any speeding offender detected by a speed camera is normally achieved by tracing the vehicle's owner and/or user through the vehicle's number plate. This applies to both front and rear photography. ACPO's guidance provides that where front photography has been used, the registered keeper of the vehicle should be told a record exists that may assist in the identification of the driver. If the registered keeper nominates another person60WA as the driver then they too should be advised that the photograph may identify the driver. Any potential defendant should be given the opportunity to view the image and the displayed image should only show that part of the vehicle which permits the identification of the driver with the remainder of the passenger compartment obscured. Police forces may also use the image in other prosecutions if it contains prima facie evidence relating to any other serious offence. The initial image should remain in its unaltered condition as the best evidence for subsequent production in court if necessary. ACPO sees no need to update this 1995 advice.