What number plate recognition does for a campsite

Campsite ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) reads each car’s plate as it comes in and matches it to a booking. For reception, that means the guest is already marked as arrived. For you, it means a car on no booking is easy to spot. It does not replace a person on the gate, but it saves a lot of asking “who are you?” on a busy changeover day.

Part one: a camera that can read plates

You need a camera at the entrance that can read plates, and the choice is between two routes:

• A camera with number plate reading built in
• An ordinary IP camera with free plate-reading software, such as Frigate, running alongside it

Either way, the camera has to see plates clearly at the speed cars really arrive, in the light you really have, including at dusk and in the dark. Test it over a few days, not just at midday.

Part two: software that knows your bookings

A camera on its own only produces a list of plates. The useful part is matching them to bookings. In Nimbo Stay, the camera or its software sends each plate read to your system, which matches it to an active booking. The guest then turns green on today’s Arrivals list, even for a group arriving in more than one car, and the list updates by itself while it is open.

Part three: what to do with the readings

• Every plate read is logged, with the time and which camera saw it
• Cars that are on no booking are marked Unmatched, so visitors stand out
• You can search for a plate, or show only the unmatched ones
• If the camera misreads a plate, you can assign it to the right booking in two clicks

You can then switch on camera check-in, so that a guest due that day is checked in as they drive in, for all day or only the hours you choose, such as after reception closes. Camera check-out works only in the hours before check-out time, so a trip to the shop does not check anyone out.

Staff can check a plate from their phone

When a car turns up that the camera missed, staff can type a number plate into the staff app and see straight away whether it is booked in, and on which pitch. See the guest and staff app.

Privacy: tell people and keep readings only as long as you need

A number plate can identify a person, so treat the readings with care. Put up clear signs saying the entrance is camera-monitored, mention it in your privacy notice, and keep readings only as long as you need them. In Nimbo Stay, old readings delete themselves after the number of days you choose. The Information Commissioner’s Office publishes guidance on surveillance cameras that is worth reading before you install one.

Getting started

You do not need the camera in place to start taking bookings. Many sites set up online booking first and add the camera later. When you are ready, we will help you connect it. Read more on number plate cameras in Nimbo Stay, see how it fits with caravan park booking software, or tell us about your site.