2 New Cameras In Horsham On The A24 But Strange Looking!

[im]

They are hanging off the middle of the Broadbridge Heath roundabout pointing downwards onto the southbound carriageway of the A24.

I would never have noticed them as they are very small (small loaf of bread size or even smaller) at the end of 2 thin 'arms'. You can only really see them if you're on the Roundabout travelling from BBH to Horsham.



From the A24 you wont see them at all as they'll be overhead as you go under the roundabout.

Perhaps they're just traffic observation cameras but my son says they are new as he walks that way (across the roundabout) most days.

[Raw Cerb]

Could be nasty. I think we need a scout to park up and analyze a bit more closely.

Did the snooper/ road angel go off?

[im]

Raw Cerb said:

Could be nasty. I think we need a scout to park up and analyze a bit more closely.

Did the snooper/ road angel go off?

Don't have one - but I soiled myself if thats any help



My son'll take a photo tonight and I'll hopefully post up tomorrow - if PH allow that sort of thing.

Edited by im on Wednesday 16th July 13:22

[im]

UPDATE

I rang Horsham District Council (Highways dept) who told me those cameras come under the jurisdiction of Broadbridge Heath Police Station.

So I rang them but:

1. I didn't know BBH had a seperate Police Station but more importantly
2. The WPC who answered wasn't willing to discuss what the cameras do or are there for!

Having asked why I wanted to know (cheeky cow) she said someone will ring me back...maybe...

My taxes are helping pay for the fking kit luv - Last time I looked we weren't in a Police State just yet!


2nd UPDATE

West Sussex Traffic Division rang and said "It's a HDC Camera"......groan...I give up.

Edited by im on Wednesday 16th July 16:46

[im]

As promised, piccies:





Although I was wrong and they are clearly looking at both carriageways.

Anybody got any ideas?

[jayfish]

HDC often stands for High Definition Camera, so it appears to be a high definition camera camera(sic).

Seems an odd place to mount them, any unsociable sod could just cut the wires.

Lets hope they are for catching people on mobiles and/or uninsured/unlicensed vehicles.

[ironictwist]

Mmmmmmmmm, es muy intersante hombre. Can't wait to hear about there intended "purpose". Good spot though, I'm occasionally travelling down that stretch at quite a few leptons, will keep an eye out.

[MON]

I also noticed these appearing in the last week or so and wondered what their purpose was, so thankyou for the investigation even though it is yet to yield any result.

As you later confirmed there is a set on both North & Southbound carriageways.

A scamera van can occasionally be located on the flyover attempting to catch southbound traffic, but they seem to have found a more favourable position in recent weeks.

[im]

I've just fired off an e-mail to West Suusex Highways Dept asking for info - I'll report back if and when they reply chaps.

MON said:

A scamera van can occasionally be located on the flyover attempting to catch southbound traffic, but they seem to have found a more favourable position in recent weeks.

Don't tease...where is the 'more favourable position'?

[nobbynobbs]

I can confirm that these are ANPR cameras, they are nothing to do with Highways or speeding. They are used by SusPol to monitor vehicle without tax or insurance, vehicles of interest (ie linked to crime), threat of terrorism etc

Edited as I can't spell

Edited by nobbynobbs on Thursday 17th July 15:58

[im]

nobbynobbs said:

I can confirm that these are ANPR cameras, they are nothing to do with Highways or speeding.

So they are Police cameras - yes? Why would they tell me that they are not theirs and to contact the Highways Dept...strange...I'll wait and see what Highways say to my e-mail - curious though.

[jmorgan]

Ah! Whilst I am up here in Welsh Wales, some of them have appeared on the Monmouth-Newport road. On a "collapse if you crash into it" pole.

Hmm.

[nobbynobbs]

To be honest, the officer you spoke to may not have known what they were and thought they were Highways or Traffic Master cameras. They are now being placed everywhere.

[ironictwist]

nobbynobbs said:

I can confirm that these are ANPR cameras, they are nothing to do with Highways or speeding. They are used by SusPol to monitor vehicle without tax or insurance, vehicles of interest (ie linked to crime), threat of terrorism etc

I can live with that so long as it wont crucify me for 0.90 leptons

[MON]

im said:

Don't tease...where is the 'more favourable position'?

In recent weeks they seem to like the railway bridge just after the Holmwood turning (southbound). Still the A24, although obviously a different district (Surrey).

[Phoenix Red]

As far as I am aware they don't emit a signal so they can't detect speed without a returning Echo.

They do look a bit fragile and open to er......Re-Sighting.....

[knight]

Next time I'm passing I'll slow down to nearer the speed limit and try and spot them

Edited by knight on Thursday 17th July 18:26

[susplod]

I have just found this thread and agree with Nobbynobbs that the pix show two new ANPR cameras. As already stated they are being placed on the arterial routes in E/W Sussex. The purpose of ANPR is "to deny criminals the use of the road"; the system can access many databases including insurance, PNC, CIS, DVLA etc but has nothing to do with speeding.

If there is an activation, the local control room can radio a resource to stop the vehicle; obviously this is only done for serious offences - ie the vehicle was used in a robbery. You are unlikely to be stopped if your tax is a week out of date - having said that, specific operations can and do take place.

I hope this helps

Cheers

SP

[im]

OK - Thanks for all the input chaps and I can confirm that they are indeed ANPR cameras so Jayfish, nobbynobbs and susplod are all spot-on!

Below is an e-mail I received from West Sussex Highways about 10 minutes ago:

---

Dear Sir

With reference to your phone call and e-mail yesterday. I have done some investigation work!! They are ANPR (automatic number plate recognition cameras) that have been put in by Sussex Police. They obviously had to get permission from WSCC and they spoke to our Bridges and Structures department at County Hall.

Regards

Maureen Vaughey
Customer Services Officer

---

Again - thanks everyone for your input.

[ironictwist]

You can always trust a Maureen

Anyway, thanks susplod on clarifying it all, certainly helped!