ANPR camera records may show timing errors

If your ticket relies on automatic number-plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, the industry code requires the operator's cameras to be fit for purpose, properly maintained and time-synchronised so the evidence is accurate (Single Code of Practice paragraph 7.1), and every ANPR image must carry an accurate time and date stamp and pass a manual quality-control check — including timestamp accuracy — before a charge is issued (paragraph 7.3). You can ask the operator for its maintenance and clock-synchronisation records, and make a Subject Access Request under UK GDPR for the data held on your vehicle. If the operator cannot show the camera evidence was accurate and checked, the timing evidence behind your ticket is weakened.

Legal basis

BPA–IPC Private Parking Sector Single Code of Practice v1.1 (in force from 1 October 2024): para 7.1 (camera equipment must be fit for purpose, maintained to a good standard and synchronised so photographic evidence is recorded accurately), para 7.3(b) and (d) (accurate time and date stamp; manual quality-control check of ANPR/CCTV images including timestamp accuracy). UK GDPR Art 5(1)(d) (accuracy) and Art 15 (right of access — Subject Access Request); Civil Evidence Act 1995 s.9 (proof of business records). (Verified against fetched Code text 2026-07-14; replaces the former BPA AOS/IPC code citations, superseded 1 October 2024.)

How to identify this in your case

ANPR-based PCN; entry/exit timing pivotal to alleged contravention; site has multiple complaints / known time-drift issues.

Sample appeal wording

Dear [OPERATOR] — SAR + Evidential Disclosure Demand, Re: PCN [REF] — Vehicle [REG] Under UK GDPR Article 15 and as a precondition to your reliance on ANPR evidence under Civil Evidence Act 1995 s.9, I require the following: 1. The make, model and serial number of the ANPR cameras at [LOCATION]; 2. The most recent calibration and service certificates for those cameras prior to and following [DATE]; 3. The Network Time Protocol (NTP) source and synchronisation logs covering [DATE] +/- 7 days; 4. The maintenance log for the site covering 12 months either side of [DATE]; 5. The error/exception log for the cameras for [DATE]; 6. Records of any prior complaints relating to time accuracy or plate misreads at this site in the preceding 12 months; 7. Compliance audit under the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice (as revised 2021/22); 8. Evidence of compliance with BPA AOS Section 21 / IPC Section B12 audit requirements (as applicable). Without this evidence the ANPR records cannot be relied on as accurate (UK GDPR Art 5(1)(d)) and are not admissible as business records of sufficient weight under s.9 Civil Evidence Act 1995. The charge is denied pending full disclosure. Yours faithfully, [NAME]

Replace [PARKING DATE], [NtK DATE] etc. with your own dates before sending.

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Sources

PoFA 2012 s.30
Surveillance Camera Code 2013 (rev 2021)
Civil Evidence Act 1995 s.9
BPA AOS Code
IPC Code