Dyfed-Powys Police has signed an agreement with IT systems provider Civica to rollout a new hosted Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system.
The organisations claim the five-year deal will help Dyfed-Powys Police cut crime and costs, while improving internal ICT security.
The re-deployable hosted ANPR product enables the rapid deployment of cameras either to support strategic operations or to replace a fixed camera that is out of service.
The technology will also be used in Dyfed-Powys to provide permanent ANPR coverage on routes of interest where a hardwired communications network is unavailable or would be too expensive to provide.
The new partnership will see Dyfed-Powys police go from 34 traditional static cameras to 50 traditional and hosted ANPR sites, in addition to mobile units.
By hosting the system at Civica's datacentres, the force will benefit from low risk, highly resilient infrastructure, which incorporates a secure private network and taps into all major 3G networks, Civica said.
This ensures the fastest possible speeds and constant wireless coverage, it added.
Brian Mumby, ANPR manager at Dyfed-Powys Police, said: "Here in Wales, wireless coverage can be inconsistent at the best of times; Civica gives us access to all of the major 3G networks so we're secure in the knowledge that our ANPR cameras are live-streaming vital data back to headquarters 24/7.
"This technology is our bread and butter, particularly at a time when budgets and headcounts are under scrutiny," Mumby added.
Tony Hughes, managing director of public protection at Civica, added: "This technology is a game-changer for police forces that need guaranteed connectivity and IT security."
