A POLICE van kitted out with licence plate-reading computers is finding stolen vehicles.

Several car thieves have been arrested in Penge over the last two weeks following the introduction of state-of-the-art technology, normally used to catch terrorists in central London.

Video cameras recorded the number plates of passing motorists in Beckenham Road and Anerley Hill before transmitting the data to computers inside an unmarked police van.

Officers could then tell whether the licence plate matched a vehicle recorded as stolen, lost, or involved in a crime.

The project was part of Operation Diligence, launched two weeks ago to tackle robberies, disorder and motor crime in Penge.

Bromley police received £6,800 from Scotland Yard for the operation, which saw officers put in 12-hour shifts.

Sergeant Peter Crossfield, who oversaw the operation, said Penge had seen a "tremendous reduction" in street crimes from June's tally of 58 to just 17 in July, up to July 29.

He added: "Officers have been deployed on motor and foot patrols to reassure the public, deter offenders and catch people when an offence takes place. Those committing crimes soon get the message when they see police officers on high-visibility patrol.

"Hopefully, we will carry out more of these operations to make Bromley's streets safer."

The operation saw arrests made for a range of offences including stolen cars, stolen tax discs, possession of offensive weapons and possession of illegal drugs. One man was cautioned for the possession of an electric stun gun as well as five ounces of cannabis.

And robbery victims were driven around in police cars to hot-spot areas to track down their attackers.