Number plate checks to be rolled out at port

Number plate recognition technology is set to be introduced at a Manx port to enable the police to carry out "proactive and intelligence led security checks".

Plans have been put in place for the Isle of Man Constabulary to join the UK's Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) database in March, at a cost of £32,000 per year.

That would be followed cameras at the Sea Terminal in Douglas scanning vehicles arriving and leaving from May, with any system alerts immediately flagged up.

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) said the move was part of the Securing Our Island strategy launched in September to strengthen controls at the island's borders.

The department it was currently creating regulations to allow the Manx police force to use the software to manually search for vehicles on the UK system and set alerts.

Officers could then identify the movement of vehicles involved in criminal investigations before they arrived on the island, and share intelligence with neighbouring forces to "disrupt potential criminal offences in progress", the DHA said.

The second phase would see cameras at the Manx port be connected with the UK database, allowing checks on vehicles travelling on and off the ferries.

The Department of Infrastructure (DOI) has previously used similar mobile technology on public roads to identify those driving without tax, which was last used in 2022.

The DHA has confirmed the system would not be used for that purpose again but would instead become a "useful tool for our enforcement agencies which will help tackle and track criminal activity" and enhance border security.

When launching the strategy at the 2024 Government Conference, Home Affairs Minister Jane Poole-Wilson said organised crime, including drug trafficking, had become "an increasing threat".

Other measures outlined for use included facial recognition of passengers at the island's ports and the scanning and monitoring of inbound and outbound post.

The department said the moves would be "proactive measures" designed to "make it harder for criminals to exploit the island's position within the Common Travel Area".

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