New network of number-plate recognition cameras to enter service

A new national network of automatic number-plate recognition (ANPR) cameras will enter into service in September, with authorities saying the old system has become unstable and overloaded.

Police will begin the rollout in Brussels, connecting 450 cameras as part of the fight against organised crime and drug trafficking, according to an announcement from interior minister Bernard Quintin (MR).

Cameras will then be connected on a priority basis per province or region, based on the needs that have been identified, with an estimated completion date sometime in 2026.

The ANPR camera network was first launched after the terrorist attacks in Paris and Brussels in 2015 and 2016, but the current system has since become obsolete. Police zones can no longer connect new cameras or route controls and data flows increased significantly, leading to stability problems.

The forthcoming modernised national platform brings together images from all connected cameras, old and new. It will be possible to connect 5,000 cameras - and up to 10,000 if necessary - regardless of their brand or model.

“ANPR cameras are fantastic tools for not only improving road safety, but also for combating organised crime, which knows no boundaries,” Quintin said in a statement.

“We are providing our services with a stable and modern system for bringing together images from across the whole territory, and innovative tools to make the most of them.

"This innovative technology gives our police unprecedented resources in the fight against crime, saving officers time and increasing efficiency with one goal in mind: to guarantee people's safety."

The new system will standardise image streams, centralise data and make more efficient use of data through modern analysis tools. Images will be available to both local and federal police.

The project could also mean significant cost savings, for example, by reducing server costs and administrative workload.

The total investment for the new ANPR system amounts to €10.2 million over four years, financed by the Road Safety Fund.

Data from the cameras will be hosted in federal data centres in accordance with the strictest standards, according to the office of the interior minister.

In accordance with the Police Act and GDPR data protection regulations, data may only be used as part of investigations and every consultation is recorded.

Legally, the police services have access to the images for one month. Any longer than that requires the approval of the public prosecutor.