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Vehicle guidance technology specialist Appian Technology (APN:AIM) has won two contracts worth a total of £0.4 million with major UK police forces.

The tiddler, which is a provider of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems, has secured a £260,000 order to install its ANPR technology at several strategic fixed sites in the south of England. The contract is the third major deal from this particular customer and the technology will help reduce crime and counter terrorism initiatives.

The ANPR system will consist of Appian’s Cobra ANPR cameras which will be connected to roadside computers running Talon ANPR recognition software. A wireless system will transmit all data back to a central monitoring point. A total of 22 lanes of traffic will be monitored, with real time checking of number plates against police databases.

Through the contract, Appian will be expected to design, supply, install and maintain the system. Meanwhile, the second contract clinched by the group is a £150,000 order for a fixed site ANPR system for a major city police force in the north of England. Appian already supplies mobile ANPR equipment to this customer.

The Talon ANPR system will be used to protect critical civil infrastructure and will process more than one million vehicle plates each day, providing vital intelligence to various agencies. ‘These contracts reinforce our position and provide further confirmation of our status as a key security supplier to the UK police sector,’ says chairman Pat Ryan. The shares ticked up 3% to 4.9p.

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