What triggers ANPR cameras?

ANPR cameras are triggered by vehicle movement detected through integrated motion sensors or inductive loop detectors embedded in the road surface. When a vehicle passes, the camera captures an image of the number plate, which is then processed by optical character recognition (OCR) software to read and record the registration number.

Can ANPR cameras detect speed?

Yes, ANPR cameras can be configured to detect vehicle speed using average speed calculation between two fixed camera points. The system records the time a vehicle's number plate is captured at each camera and calculates average speed over the known distance.

Can you install ANPR cameras on vehicles?

Yes, mobile ANPR systems can be installed on vehicles, and are commonly used by law enforcement and traffic management authorities. Fixed roadside or overhead installations are more common for commercial and access control applications.

Can I use ANPR to open my gates?

Yes. ANPR systems, combined with network input/output devices or on-board relays, can be used to operate barriers and gates automatically from an approved list of vehicle registration plates.

How accurate are ANPR systems?

Modern ANPR systems achieve read accuracy rates of 95-99% under good conditions. Accuracy depends on camera resolution, lighting, vehicle speed, and the quality of the OCR engine. SES Technologies uses high-specification Axis ANPR cameras and software that maintain reliable read rates even in low light, at speed, and in adverse UK weather conditions.

Do ANPR cameras work at night?

Yes. Professional ANPR cameras use built-in infrared (IR) illuminators that are invisible to the human eye but provide sufficient light for the camera sensor to clearly capture number plates in complete darkness. This makes them suitable for 24/7 operation at car parks, gated communities, and industrial sites without any additional external lighting.

How long does ANPR system installation take?

Installation time depends on site complexity. A single-lane ANPR camera with barrier integration can typically be completed in one day. Larger multi-camera sites with network infrastructure and access control integration may take two to five days. SES Technologies provides a full site survey before installation to give accurate timescales and a detailed project plan.

Are ANPR systems GDPR compliant?

Yes, when deployed correctly. Vehicle registration plates are personal data under UK GDPR. Operators must have a lawful basis for processing, display appropriate signage, limit data retention periods, and maintain a privacy policy. SES Technologies advises all clients on GDPR compliance as part of every ANPR installation project.

What sectors use ANPR systems in the UK?

ANPR is used across many sectors: car parks and NCP operators, hospitals and NHS trusts, schools and universities, industrial and logistics sites, gated residential communities, retail parks, local authority controlled zones, and construction sites. SES Technologies installs systems for all of these sectors throughout the UK.

How much does an ANPR system cost?

ANPR system costs vary depending on the number of cameras, infrastructure requirements, software licences, and integration complexity. A single-entry system starts from a few thousand pounds, while larger multi-site installations with managed software will cost more. Contact SES Technologies for a free site survey and tailored quotation.

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ANPR Systems from SES Technologies

An ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) system uses high-resolution cameras and optical character recognition (OCR) software to automatically read and record vehicle registration plates. When a vehicle enters the camera’s field of view, the system captures the plate image, converts it to a text string, and logs it — typically in under 250 milliseconds. Modern systems also record the vehicle’s make, model, colour, and speed.

ANPR systems are used across the UK for car park access control, barrier and gate automation, site security, traffic monitoring, parking enforcement, and vehicle analytics. They operate 24 hours a day using built-in infrared illumination, making them equally effective in complete darkness.

SES Technologies designs, supplies and installs professional ANPR systems throughout the UK, using Axis cameras and industry-leading OCR software. Every installation is preceded by a free site survey to ensure the right solution for your site, access requirements, and budget.

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Our ANPR Camera Systems

ANPR camera systems capture vehicle registration plates automatically using high-resolution cameras and OCR software. Systems installed by SES Technologies read plates in under 250 milliseconds and log the vehicle’s registration number, time of capture, direction of travel, and — where configured — make, model, and colour.

Our systems are installed across the UK for car park access control, automatic barrier and gate operation, site security, employee and visitor management, and traffic monitoring. All cameras use built-in infrared illumination for reliable 24/7 operation in all weather and lighting conditions.

Every SES Technologies ANPR installation begins with a free site survey. We assess camera positions, entry and exit points, infrastructure requirements, and integration with any existing access control or management software — then provide a detailed specification and fixed-price quotation.

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How ANPR Cameras Work

An ANPR camera analyses its video feed continuously — typically at 25 frames per second. When a vehicle enters the detection zone, the camera’s onboard processor captures a high-resolution image of the number plate and runs it through OCR software, which converts the plate image into a registration number string in under 250 milliseconds.

The registration number is checked against a database in real time — a permit whitelist, access control list, or parking management system — and the appropriate action is triggered automatically: opening a barrier, logging an entry, raising an alert, or recording a violation. A time-stamped image of the vehicle is stored alongside every read for audit and evidence purposes.

Why Choose Our ANPR Systems?

Enhanced Safety & Security

ANPR cameras provide a verifiable, time-stamped record of every vehicle entering or leaving your site. Registration plate images, capture time, and direction of travel are logged automatically — giving you a clear audit trail for security incidents, disputes, and compliance reviews.

24/7 Security & Management Access

All SES Technologies ANPR systems include secure management software accessible 24 hours a day. Authorised users can view live camera feeds, search historical plate reads, manage permit lists, and export data — from any device, at any time.

Reliable & Effective Monitoring Footage

Our Axis ANPR cameras achieve read accuracy of 95–99% in real-world UK conditions — including rain, low light, and vehicles at speed. Built-in infrared illumination ensures consistent plate capture around the clock without any additional external lighting.

Control Gates and barriers seamlessly

Using Axis cameras with network I/O relays or Axis Licence Plate Verifier software, barriers and gates open automatically for approved vehicles and stay closed to unauthorised ones — with no keys, fobs, or manual operation required.

ANPR FAQ’s

An ANPR camera will take an image of a vehicle number plate when a car drives by the camera’s view. AI OCR (Optical Character Recognition) engines convert the image into readable data. The plate data can then be used to open a barrier, charge for parking etc.
ANPR cameras detect more than just number plates, they can calculate and detect several vehicle features. These include average vehicle speeds, make model and colour of a vehicle
ANPR cameras can be installed on or in vehicles , these are used generally in traffic or parking enforcement systems.
ANPR systems, combined with network input/output devices or “on board” relays can be used to operate barriers and gates from an approved list of vehicle registration plates.
Modern ANPR systems achieve read accuracy rates of 95–99% under good conditions. Accuracy depends on camera resolution, lighting, vehicle speed, and the quality of the OCR engine. SES Technologies uses high-specification Axis ANPR cameras and software that maintain reliable read rates even in low light, at speed, and in adverse UK weather conditions.
Yes. Professional ANPR cameras use built-in infrared (IR) illuminators that are invisible to the human eye but provide sufficient light for the camera sensor to clearly capture number plates in complete darkness. This makes them suitable for 24/7 operation at car parks, gated communities, and industrial sites without any additional external lighting.
Installation time depends on site complexity. A single-lane ANPR camera with barrier integration can typically be completed in one day. Larger multi-camera sites with network infrastructure and access control integration may take two to five days. SES Technologies provides a full site survey before installation to give accurate timescales and a detailed project plan.
Yes, when deployed correctly. Vehicle registration plates are personal data under UK GDPR. Operators must have a lawful basis for processing, display appropriate signage, limit data retention periods, and maintain a privacy policy. SES Technologies advises all clients on GDPR compliance as part of every ANPR installation project.
ANPR is used across many sectors: car parks and NCP operators, hospitals and NHS trusts, schools and universities, industrial and logistics sites, gated residential communities, retail parks, local authority controlled zones, and construction sites. SES Technologies installs systems for all of these sectors throughout the UK.
ANPR system costs vary depending on the number of cameras, infrastructure requirements, software licences, and integration complexity. A single-entry system starts from a few thousand pounds, while larger multi-site installations with managed software will cost more. Contact SES Technologies for a free site survey and tailored quotation.