Antigua and Barbuda’s police force is preparing to deploy advanced license plate recognition technology next year, a move expected to significantly strengthen efforts to detect stolen vehicles and fraudulent number plates in real time.

Police Commissioner Everton Jeffers said the system will mark a major shift in how officers operate on patrol, allowing law enforcement to identify violations instantly rather than responding after crimes have already occurred.

“With some of the equipment that will be coming on stream next year, we will be more proactive rather than reacting, because then we’ll be seeing things in real time,” Jeffers said during an interview with state media.

The technology, which is already in use in the United States and several Caribbean territories, will scan license plates as vehicles pass police units, immediately flagging stolen vehicles or plates that do not match registration records.

“We’re going to be driving on the road, and a vehicle is coming on the road, and we’re going to stop you, because guess what? We know that that license plate is not for that,” the Commissioner explained.

Jeffers said the system is expected to lead to an increase in arrests and contribute to a reduction in crime, particularly vehicle-related offences.

“That is going to help us a great deal. When that comes on stream, we will see a lot more arrests being made, and that will help to decrease the crime rate,” he said.

The announcement comes amid heightened concern over vehicle theft and other criminal activity, especially during the Christmas season and heading into the new year.