Specially designed cameras will be set up across Kingston to catch burglars in a bid to tackle the borough’s “vulnerability” to organised crime syndicates outside the borough.

Kingston Council and Kingston police have joined together to set up the intuitive, which will see automatic number plate recognition cameras set up in permanent and temporary spots across Kingston from early next year.

In an open letter to residents, borough commander Glenn Tunstall acknowledged the borough is “vulnerable” to numerous criminal activity from neighbouring gangs.

He said: “Those of you who have heard me speak on the subject of burglary, will be well aware of my concerns that the lack of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) on our borough, makes us vulnerable to organised criminal networks who travel in from outside.

“Whilst this is true for burglary it is also true for a number of other crime types.”

Earlier this year, the Metropolitan Police launched Operation Bumblebee, an annual initiative aimed at targeting burglars across the capital in the darker winter months.

According to crime figures released in April, Kingston is the safest borough in London.

Kingston MP James berry said: "I was very surprised to learn that Kingston was not covered by ANPR, a technology that police forces across the country rely on to catch criminals, and that as a result our Borough had become a target for burglars.

"I was clear that something had to be done to address this anomaly and having campaigned for this crimefighting technology, I pleased that the council has agreed to fund it."

Kingston police has asked residents for their recommendations on how to best utilise the cameras in a public consultation, which closes on Monday.

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