KANGAR: The police have obtained 40 devices to scan vehicle registration number plates to help in its anti-crime operations.

       Bukit Aman Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department (JSPT) director Datuk Mat Kasim Karim said 40 of the scanning devices, called vehicle registration number plate scanning device (iCOPS), were obtained in stages since in 2016.

       They had previously only been used to detect owners of vehicles with outstanding summonses or those issued with arrest warrants.

       He said the functions of iCOPS had been enhanced using a vehicle data screening storage system to develop a vehicle profile database known as iCOPS Data Centre.

       “The JSPT’s responsibility is on the road, but that is also where certain parties carry out (criminal activities) such as smuggling of illegal immigrants.

       “So, with the presence of such a sophisticated device, we can assist in the duties of other departments,” he said after the ceremony to introduce iCOPS here yesterday.

       “From 2016, the data of 4.7 million vehicles has been scanned and saved using the iCOPS system,” he said.