Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Hertfordshire opens up the evidence for drivers caught speeding

Hertfordshire Safety Camera Partnership today announces that it is providing drivers with direct access to information from safety cameras. From today, individuals who receive a penalty notice will be able to view all the evidence relating to the penalty online and free of charge.

The ‘Public Access’ service, delivered in partnership with Northgate Information Solutions, ensures authorised and secure access for drivers to view photographs of their vehicle, site maps and camera calibration certificates relating to their offence.

Public Access is part of a programme of work at Hertfordshire designed to give both drivers and employees at the Partnership better access to information. Staff are using new software designed to handle driver enquiries more efficiently, including a new single information access point and an electronic document management system.

The benefits include:

* ­enabling those who have received a notice of intended prosecution to see the evidence relating to it online through the Public Access system;
­*more efficient access to information through a single point of access, removing the need for staff to log onto different systems to access all the relevant information and evidence relating to an offence;
­*less time spent on manually inputting data – forms are digitally scanned and case files automatically updated, leaving more time to deal with incoming calls and queries;
­*a complete and automatic audit trail which maintains a full register of every action taken on every document received.

Claire Hall, Partnership Communications Manager, said today:
“This new online service will ensure that drivers with internet access can exercise their right to information quickly and at any time. The selection of this system demonstrates the Partnership’s commitment to honesty, openness and accountability. “

Ian Blackhurst, MD of Criminal Justice & Public Safety at Northgate Information Solutions, added:
“We are committed to placing citizens at the heart of public services, and we are delighted to be working in partnership with Hertfordshire Safety Camera Partnership to open up access to information. Safety cameras are just one part of an effective road safety strategy, and it is essential that we build trust through reassuring the public that enforcement action is both fair and transparent.”

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For more info:

Fellows’ Associates:
Kathy Sutton 020 7849 3403 / 07966 890401 / ksutton@fellowsassociates.com
Naomi Stevenson 020 7849 3508 / 07966 890403 / nstevenson@fellowsassociates.com

Notes to Editors:


1.Northgate Information Solutions is a leading provider of innovative technology solutions to the public services and utilities markets. Northgate’s task is to enhance public value through the intelligent use of people and technology, and to share in the economic and social benefits that this brings.

2.In the UK, Northgate works with four out of five local authorities, half of all fire brigades and ambulance trusts and every police force. Its systems are used in the management of over 1.5 million local authority and housing association properties; in the administration of more than £17 billion of revenues and benefits; and in electoral administration systems covering over 18 million people. Northgate administers over 5.5 million penalty notices every year and delivers the national system for reporting police performance. Founded in 1969, the company has over 3,300 employees.

3.‘Public Access’ directs individuals to a dedicated and secure web page through directions shown on the penalty notice. Through keying in a number of identifiers to authenticate the user, individuals can access all the evidence relating to the case, including copies of the offence photos; calibration certificates for the device that captured the photo; site location maps and details; and copies of the penalty notice. ‘Public Access’ is the only system on the market compliant with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) guidance on providing web access to camera offence information. The site can be found at: www.hertsdirect.org/safetycameras