Waitrose in New Malden has applied for planning permission to install automatic number plate recognition cameras in its carpark.

The supermarket, located in the High Street, has applied for two cameras to be placed at both the exit and entrance of the carpark.

These cameras are often used to help detect and deter crime, and also as a way to charge for parking.

Timed photographs of a car and a close-up of its number plate are taken as the vehicle enters and exits the carpark. If the driver exceeds the duration of their stay, they will be fined.

Waitrose denies any parking charges will be introduced.

A spokeswoman for Waitrose said: “We are not making any changes at this time, however we have submitted a planning application for an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system to understand if this might be an option in the future to help us improve how we manage the car park.

“We are not proposing to introduce a pay and display system.”