POLICE targeted drivers at Merry Hill as part of an operation to stop vehicle crime.
Officers from the Woodside and Merry Hill neighbourhood policing team used automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology to target shoppers cars.
The cameras read registration plates and within seconds alert police if the car is stolen, uninsured, not taxed, or if the owner is wanted by police.
Officers can then stop the vehicle if anything arises.
The operation on the shopping centre car parks involved four Pc’s and four PCSO’s who patrolled area, as well as two unmarked police cars and panda cars.
The officers were also offering advice to drivers of MG ZR’s, after seeing a rise in thefts from these type of cars in the area over the last few weeks.
Further operations at Merry Hill are scheduled to take place throughout the summer holidays.
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