Kolkata: Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, which can now detect stolen vehicles and send signals to the police control room, and AI-assisted softwares have helped the detective department of Kolkata Police (KP) nab six bike-lifters and solve nine cases reported from east, south and southeast Kolkata.
“During last couple of months, ESD and SED divisions witnessed a series of two-wheeler thefts.Some footage from private CCTVs were collected. We all visited all the POs, consulted all the available CCTV and ANPR footages and their route of escape was fixed. We set up alerts on the numbers in our AI driven software at select crossings being repeatedly used by the accused,” said an officer.
Thereafter, one Md. Imranuddin (24) alias Imran of Dr. Suresh Sarkar Road, in Entally, was first identified in the ANPR camera riding a vehicle, with registration number WB 18R 8026, stolen last year. After arresting him, pursuant to his statement one Md. Sameer alias Baghi (22) of Chatu Babu Lane was arrested.
“Pursuant to their statement and on being identified by them, four others were subsequently nabbed — Imran Nazir (22) of Dr Suresh Sarkar Road, who was a lifter, Peter Bunty Das (22) of Dr Suresh Sarkar Road, his associate, Md Hossain (28) of Karaya, also an associate and Rajesh Sardar (34) of Jibantala, who is a receiver. The two-wheelers were stolen from Patuli, Rabindra Sarobar, Beniapukur, Muchipara, Gariahat, Bhangar, Sonarpur and Entally,” cops said.
Cops have decided to procure new facial recognition cameras — linked to a software that will have access to photos of criminals — at 25 crossings to spot those with past records in shoplifting, pickpocketing and snatching. South and southeast Kolkata will be the focus areas.