The value of the licence plate recognition cameras was once again highlighted when suspects in a farm attack that occurred in Humansdorp in the Eastern Cape were arrested near Uitenhage earlier this week.

The Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA), which is part of the inter-town tactical unit that assists with incidents across Bitou’s borders, reported that a farmer had been attacked just outside Humansdorp in the Eastern Cape on October 16.

It is believed that four suspects attacked a family living on a farm in the area, tied them up and stabbed the farmer in the shoulder. They fled the scene in the farmer’s vehicle with a firearm and household goods.

Authorities were alerted at about 01:00 and soon after the vehicle was spotted on licence plate recognition cameras. Various crime fighters responded and set up observation points at different possible escape routes.

The team reported that shortly after this, the suspects abandoned the vehicle between Jeffreys Bay and Thornhill. The LPR cameras showed that a second vehicle was used in the escape.

Utilising the cameras and various other technology, they again tracked down the suspects who were travelling towards Uitenhage, where police managed to stop them and search the vehicle.

Four suspects, including a woman wearing a bulletproof vest, were arrested, suspected stolen goods were confiscated and the vehicle was impounded.

Eastern Cape Police confirmed the arrests.

PBCPA operations head Otto Olivier said the cameras are invaluable in crimefighting efforts and have assisted Bitou authorities in stopping various suspects, including in a recent ATM scam where four suspects were arrested in Plettenberg Bay.