NEW generation mobile camera phones are being used to trap car criminals, the Bolton Evening News can reveal.

Three mobile phones with built-in cameras, enabling officers on the beat to take photographs of motorists' registration plates, are being used by police in Bolton.

Car registration numbers are then fed into a national database so police can instantly view the car's records and details about its owner on screen.

The scheme -- currently being piloted in Bolton -- is an extension of the highly successful Automatic Number Plate Recognition System (ANPR), which has operated across Greater Manchester for more than a year.

The ANPR database is a combination of national and local police intelligence records. Tax and insurance information is also available.

It is usually police cars that are fitted with the ANPR system. Registration plates are monitored as cars drive past and information is passed to the database so police can instantly recognise and stop "wanted" cars or owners. Six cars equipped with the system are used in Bolton.

But the new £2,000 phone cameras give officers the chance to take images when and where they like. They can check cars more discreetly and access information quickly.

The cameras are also capable of detecting motorists who drive without road tax or insurance, as well as identifying suspects or stolen cars. They will not monitor speed.

Police say people who abide by the law have nothing to fear as the ANPR system only contains intelligence compiled by police officers.

Sgt Bill Crittenden, of Bolton police, said the mobile phone cameras will be used by officers on the beat to monitor motorists across Bolton from next week.

He said: "This will be an valuable tool in the fight against all types of crime, not just car offences. It is valuable as a way of combating the threat of terrorism.

"It will also allow officers the chance to find out details about cars or their drivers before they approach the vehicle and is therefore a great tool to protect our officers. Anything that identifies both criminals and cars which break the law is welcome. It is simple yet very effective."

ANPR in police cars was piloted in nine forces areas including Greater Manchester from September 2002 to last March.

Government figures reveal 39,000 vehicles were stopped, 3,071 people were arrested and 328 stolen vehicles were recovered.