Police use number plate recognition to catch COVID-19 evaders

The long arm of the law will now have a new meaning for Victorian residents living in coronavirus hotspots.

Victoria Police has confirmed it is now using number plate recognition cameras to catch drivers commuting outside of 10 postcodes listed in a new COVID-19 hotspot crack down.

The roof-mounted Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, which is used in police other jurisdictions including NSW, typically monitors stolen or unregistered vehicles, unlicensed drivers and cars likely to be drive by wanted persons.

But Victorian Police Commissioner Shane Patton has warned the technology will also be used to catch hotspot residents flouting the rule.

"We'll be using automatic number plate recognition technology," he told The Age newspaper. "As the operation progresses, we'll be looking at how we can utilise other resources from within the organisation, including potentially the use of drones in those public spaces.

“We will be fining people. There is no doubt about that. I want to be absolutely crystal clear. For those who are selfish enough to disregard these warnings... the window of police discretion is a very small window at the moment I can assure you, and it's rapidly closing."

The adoption of the technology by Victoria Police comes after several Victorian residents living within hotspot locations attempted to change the residential address on their licence. That avenue has also been thwarted by authorities.

Today is the second day of stage three restrictions being imposed on more than 300,000 residents of 10 postcodes throughout Melbourne.

It comes as Victoria recorded its 17th straight day of double-digit coronavirus case increases, with another 66 people diagnosed overnight.

Of the new infections, authorities say 17 were connected to contained outbreaks, one was detected in hotel quarantine, 20 were diagnosed through routine testing and 28 cases were under investigation.