How Redspeed’s Software is Turning ‘Ghost Plates’ into Tangible Evidence.
The End of Anonymity:
Redspeed CEO Reveals the Tech War Against Ghost Plates
Ghost plates are illegally modified number plates which are used to evade Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. These are more than just a minor motoring offence; they are a critical criminal enabler. This was the stark message our CEO, Tom Duckham delivered at today’s Project EDWARD webinar; ‘Ghost Plates exposed: unmasking invisible law-breakers on UK roads.’ Speaking alongside key figures from enforcement and regulation, Tom unveiled how our Sentio GHOST’s cutting-edge enforcement technology is adapting to tackle this growing, invisible threat, transforming the UK’s road safety and intelligence landscape.
The Scale of the Phantom Menace
Traditional ANPR systems rely heavily on Infrared (IR) illumination, a weakness exploited by ghost plate manufacturers using reflective coatings and IR-blocking films. Tom Duckham highlighted that the scale of the problem is vast.
“Ghost plates are designed to make a vehicle functionally invisible to conventional enforcement. They allow criminals, from high-risk speeding offenders to those involved in serious organised crime, to operate with impunity, undermining the entire road safety and justice system.”
The groundbreaking ‘Operation Phantom’ collaboration between Redspeed International and West Midlands Police, exposed the true extent of the issue: Our new technology detected over 8000 instances of ghost plate use in just six weeks, linked to nearly 3,000 previously ‘invisible’ vehicles, at one location within Birmingham.
The ‘Ghost-Busting’ Technology: Sentio Ghost
Redspeed’s counter-measure is a fundamental leap forward, embodied in our Sentio Ghost camera system. The core innovation rests on two pillars of detection:
- Dual-Capture Imaging: The system simultaneously captures two distinct image types per event: a standard ANPR image (using traditional IR) and a clear, high-resolution colour image. When the illegal coatings successfully blind the IR, the crystal-clear colour image provides the necessary, prosecutable evidence, ensuring no vehicle escapes capture.
- Anomaly Detection: Redspeed leverages advanced, UK-developed algorithms. This software performs a second-tier analysis, trained to flag subtle visual and data discrepancies that suggest tampering. This ‘ANPR with ghost plate anomaly flagging’ ensures that even expertly disguised plates are identified in real-time.
Innovation Driven by Collaboration
Tom stressed that the rapid development of such technology is directly influenced by collaboration with law enforcement.
“Our R&D priorities are set by the police intelligence we receive. We don’t just aim for technical accuracy; we aim for prosecutable quality. The insights gained from police operations ensure our technology directly combats real-world crime methods and meets the evidential standards required for conviction.”
Looking ahead, we are focusing on predictive intelligence, where systems will analyse a broader range of behaviours to flag vehicles before a major offence is committed. This integration, combined with accelerated cross-force data sharing, will provide a unified, national intelligence picture to target not only drivers but also the illegal suppliers.