Brandenburg police are hunting for thousands of license plates from stolen cars!

Brandenburg police are hunting for thousands of license plates from stolen cars!

The Brandenburg police draw a sobering conclusion about the use of their automated investigation system Kesy in 2022. A total of around 8,700 searches were carried out, with around 8,300 of these operations focusing on the search for stolen vehicles. This clearly shows how much the police rely on technical support to effectively combat crime. According to the investigative authorities, around 150 of these measures were carried out on public prosecutor's orders, particularly when there was strong suspicion of serious crimes. This was done by Uckermark courier reported.

The automatic registration of license plates, which has been in vogue since the introduction of the Kesy system in 2010, is not only used to prevent crime. Around 140 measures were designed to avert danger, which shows that not only criminals but also uninvolved citizens can come into focus. This raises questions as license plate capture is controversial. Critics complain that many bystanders can also be targeted by the police. Since a change to the Code of Criminal Procedure in 2021, license plates may only be saved if there are specific searches. These new requirements are intended to loosen the surveillance of citizens somewhat.

Increasing number of searches

A closer look at the numbers shows that the Brandenburg police used automatic license plate recognition significantly more frequently in 2023. Compared to 2022, searches to avert danger were increased from 116 to 172 cases, which represents an increase of around 50%. In these cases, the police must prove that there is acute danger to life and limb. This was done by rbb24 highlighted.

In addition, the police also used mobile devices to determine locations in 19 cases in 2023, while there were 15 cases in 2022. These developments show that technology is increasingly being incorporated into the investigative process. However, the question remains as to how widely surveillance through automated systems is accepted in society. For many citizens it is important to know that their data will only be treated within the intended framework.

Citizens' rights and legal framework

A comprehensive report by MP Sven Hornauf from the BSW parliamentary group also raised major concerns about the legal framework. In particular, the data protection guidelines and compliance with the judgments issued by the Frankfurt (Oder) regional court represent a challenge for the police. In 2022, the court ruled that the mass recording of license plates was unlawful. The regulations that have been in force since then stipulate that any storage must be justified. Loud hornauf.org This affects various points, such as the total number of license plates recorded, the obligation to provide information to the persons concerned and the duration of storage.

The topic is undoubtedly relevant, as there is still no final regulation by the state government on the subject of automatic license plate recognition. Citizens are concerned about whether and how their data will be used as police try to navigate a complex legal environment and ensure public safety.

The debate about license plate recognition will certainly remain a hot topic in the future, affecting not only police work, but also the fundamental rights of citizens in Brandenburg. It remains to be seen how the state government will respond to the questions raised and whether a legal regulation is in prospect.