§ Mr. WilshireTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) for how long and where photographic images of travellers using(a)Dover Docks and(b)other ports are stored; and to what purpose they are put; [157698]
(2) if he will make a statement on the use of cameras to photograph travellers using(a)Dover Docks and(b)other ports; [157699]
(3) how many people are employed in taking, processing, reviewing and storing photographic images stored of travellers using(a)Dover Docks and(b)other ports; and by whom I hey are employed; [157700]
(4) when he expects to reply to the letter of 15 January from the hon. Member for Spelthorne, (Home Office reference: P02079/4)) regarding the use of cameras to photograph travellers at Dover Docks. [157701]
§ Beverley HughesThe police and Her Majesty's Customs and Excise (HMCE) have a key role in combating organised crime at ports, including terrorism. Kent Police and HMCE jointly operate a frontier control Automatic Number Plate Reader (ANPR) system at some Kent ports. This system "reads" the vehicle registrations of passing vehicles, and, at various key locations within the port, captures passing vehicles and drivers on camera. The system is automatic and entails no physical human intervention.
The system is operated with due regard to the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) guidance on the operation of ANPR, and within the terms of the Data Protection Act 1998, the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Regulation o1 Investigatory Powers Act 2000. Images are retainer' for one year. In the interest of operational security I am unable to release information about where the images are stored.
The ANPR system is administered by three dedicated staff: (two from Her Majesty Customs and one from Kent Police). Two other Kent Police staff are dedicated to the technical maintenance of the system. In addition to the ANPR system, Her Majesty's Customs and 149W Excise use Closed Circuit Television to assist in cases of complaint against the actions of officers and in cases of assault on their officers.
Images of travellers are kept for a limited period only, normally a week, unless there is reason to keep them for evidential purposes.