Tests have been going...

Tests have been going on for several weeks in Montpellier, France, and look set to spread across the country soon. And UK police forces, which have been watching the developments, could introduce the idea here.

A spokesman for Montpellier Police said: "The use of an unmarked motorbike and rider means motorists are unaware they are being watched, and therefore cannot warn other drivers of a police presence." Lothian and Borders Police, which has already used unmarked police bikes to catch speeders, has confirmed they are watching the camera trials with interest. Chief Inspector Kenny Buchanan said: "I wouldn"t rule this out. If, for example, the officer was using a motorcycle without an on-board camera, then it would be a good idea."

Grampian Police trialled a system over Christmas where officers on foot patrols had cameras on their hats, while many forces use cycle helmet cameras.

It"s all part of a Britain which is moving towards the day when every car journey will be recorded by computer. Using a network of 3,000 cameras that read every passing number plate, the UK will be the first country in the world to record the movements of all vehicles.

The network, known as the ANPR Information, Intelligence and Technology Strategy, will use existing CCTV cameras covering all motorways and main roads, as well as towns, cities, ports and petrol stations. From March, a central database at the Police National Computer in Hendon, London, will store details of the 35 million number-plate "reads" per day.

Frank Whiteley, chairman of the Association of Chief Police Officers" ANPR committee, said: "The data centre should reveal where a vehicle was in the past and where it is now."