Information from them have already been used in investigations into murders and other serious offences – but bosses want to go further
One of the ANPR cameras(Image: Getty Images)
Cameras which were installed as part to enforce the now-ditched Clean Air Zone (CAZ) could be handed over to the police to help them trackle crime.
Over 400 ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras were erected across the region ahead of the planned implementation of the charging zone in May 2022, where drivers of high-polluting vehicles would have been charged up to £60 a day.
The scheme was delayed after a backlash. And it was finally officially scrapped after an alternative plan to instead invest in cleaner buses and taxis ,put forward by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, was signed off by the government earlier this year.
A total of 1,300 signs began being removed over the summer, at the cost of £600,000, paid for by the government.
Never miss a story with the MEN’s daily Catch Up newsletter – get it in your inbox by signing up here
However the cameras have remained. Since being installed, as well as providing data on the age and location of higher-polluting vehicles, the cameras have also already been used to help police.
Between January 2023 and April 2025, they provided vehicle tracking information to detectives investigating 63 ‘major and serious’ crimes, including murders, fatal crashes, robberies, burglaries and gun offences, says the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).
A Clean Air Zone camera sign pictured in 2023(Image: Manchester Evening News)
However currently, officers have to apply to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) which they ‘takes time and causes delays.’
They now want to formally transfer ownership of them to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
This would mean the data from them would go straight into the police’s systems, meaning officers could ‘act more quickly in real-time to help keep communities safe and solve serious crimes’, according to the GMCA.
Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE
Whilst it would also bring GMP’S comparatively ‘small’ ANPR camera coverage ‘up to a similar level of comparable police forces and make a real difference to community safety” they added.
It is never revealed where ANPR cameras are located so as to not help potential offenders. But the cameras do not use facial recognition technology and would not be used as speed cameras, the GMCA said.
Deputy Mayor Kate Green(Image: ABNM Photography)
Anonymised data from the cameras would however be used to monitor the current (non-charging) Clean Air Plan until Greater Manchester meets legal limits for nitrogen dioxide emissions.
Residents are now being asked for their views on the plans ahead of a final decision, expected to be made before the end of the year.
Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, Kate Green, said: “These cameras have already provided crucial evidence to solve serious crimes in Greater Manchester, but the current process creates delays in investigations where time is of the essence.
“Now the charging Clean Air Zone isn’t going ahead, our plan is to provide value for money by putting this existing infrastructure to good use tackle criminal behaviour and keep our communities safe.
“Bringing them permanently into the existing GMP network will bring our ANPR coverage up to a level that’s comparable with other city regions, and provide the police with real-time access to number plate data.
A CAZ sign being taken down over the summer(Image: Stockport Council)
“The cameras will still have a secondary role to play in making sure the investment-led Clean Air Plan is on track, as well as support transport planning. But we want to hear what residents think of the change in the main use and ownership of the cameras.”
In 2023 a GMP chief made a public plea in the Manchester Evening News to be allowed to take on the cameras.
In a statement issued on Friday (September 26), Chief Superintendent Neil Jones, said: “We don’t have the same level of ANPR cover that other similar forces have, and this can hold us back in protecting the public.
Cameras ‘play significant role in detecting organised crime groups’
“The data supplied from these ANPR cameras has already played a key role in GMP investigations ranging from missing persons to serious crimes such as sexual assault and murder.
“By taking on ownership of the cameras and having a direct feed into our network, we’ll be able to act even more swiftly to protect people and communities and bring criminals to justice.
“ANPR technology is crucial for detecting, deterring, and disrupting criminal activities.
“It plays a significant role in detecting criminal and organised crime groups using the road network, and is crucial in pursuing lines of enquiry, investigating and providing evidence in murder, kidnapping, burglary and serious road traffic collision cases.
“We take privacy concerns very seriously and are committed to ensuring we follow national guidelines, including regular reviews that consider camera locations and impacts on privacy.”
A public consultation opened at midnight today (Friday, September 26) and will run until 11:59pm on Thursday, November 6.
People can submit comments or ask questions by clicking here.