The post discusses the increasing use of Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems in the UK and their implications for privacy. Comments reveal a mix of opinions about surveillance; some find it enhances safety while others see it as a troubling expansion of state control. The effectiveness of ANPR in catching minor offenses like road tax evasion is noted, alongside concerns about the rising prevalence of number plate cloning. Users express frustration over the lack of anonymity in public spaces, especially when car usage is virtually the only option for urban mobility. There's a call for more balanced solutions that respect privacy without sacrificing security, as well as skepticism about the commercialization and potential misuse of collected data.