A fly-on-the-wall show following Essex Police’s Interceptors has been such a success that the new series will have its own spin-off show.

The force’s automated number plate recognition (ANPR) Intercept teams, known as the Interceptors, stepped into the spotlight earlier this year when they got their own series on TV channel Five, called Police Interceptors.

A camera crew spent time with a team from Stanway, Chigwell and Laindon.

The teams drive Subaru Imprezas and Mitsubishi Evos, cars capable of high acceleration and top speeds.

They boast a range of gadgets, including tracking devices linked to a super-computer and ANPR cameras that process thousands of number plates looking for untaxed and uninsured vehicles, those without an MoT or vehicles whose owner is wanted in connection with a criminal offence.

The first series was a huge success, and the show will be back again this month for a second series as well as earning its own spin-off show afterwards on digital channel Fiver.

Inspector Paul Moor, from the ANPR interceptor teams, said the show had received a good reaction.

“We have had really positive feedback from the public,” he said.

“They thought it showed the intercept teams in a positive light, particularly dealing with crime.

“A lot of people said it was nice to see a human face to what is quite a hard, fast intercept team. They liked to see the officers behind the cars and to see what they are really used for.

“It was certainly very positive for us.”

It was not all plain sailing for the crews though, as officers vowed not to let the cameras interfere.

Insp Moor said: “We were very clear that we wouldn’t do things especially for the camera crew and we wouldn’t change our daily business when they were with us. We even left them on the side of the road if we needed to put prisoners in the back of the car.”

The success of the first series has led to some changes, and in the second round of filming there were three camera crews, one for each interceptor base.

The 12-part series begins on Five at 8pm on Friday.

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