MOTORWAY police in Lancashire are praising a high-tech new system for recognising number plates on stolen cars.

While the Automated Number Plate Recognition system (ANPR) has been in use in the area for around 12 months, its greatest success came recently during the week of the Golf Open in Lytham St Annes.

The camera, which is linked to a computer, can read car number plates as they go past, and check if the vehicle has been stolen, or needs to be stopped and checked by officers.

Developed for use in London to prevent terrorism, the cameras were put into cars, with Lancashire Constabulary being one of the first forces to try the mobile system.

During the week of the golf championship, 50,000 number plates were read, and as a result a missing girl, from Lampeter in Wales, was found with her boyfriend.

Inspector Peter Stas of the motorway unit, said: "As a direct result of the ANPR the officers were able to stop the vehicle and thankfully both the girl and her boyfriend have now returned home to their respective families."