The Liberal Democrats at County Hall have reported the county council
to the Information Commissioner as a result of intrusive survey
methods.

Lib Dem Leader Chris White said: ‘We understand that the council is
doing surveys about traffic movements into car parks. These use both
number plate recognition software installed in order to catch
criminals and face to face surveys. In both cases the number plates of
innocent motorists are being recorded.

‘We believe that this is potentially unlawful and in any case
unethical. Hertfordshire citizens have the right to go about their
business without being spied on by the county council. These surveys
could easily be done without recording number plates. The automatic
systems were installed in good faith in crime fighting partnerships
and should not be applied to other uses.’