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North Wales Police latest to launch close pass operationPassing distance (West Midlands Police).jpg

North Wales Police latest to launch close pass operation

Also looking to streamline process for public submission of video evidence
by Alex Bowden
Tue, Oct 18, 2016 11:34
11

North Wales Police has announced that it is to deploy cycling officers with helmet cams to target drivers who leave insufficient room when overtaking. The move comes as part of Operation Snap, the force’s response to increasing submissions of video and photographic evidence by members of the public.

The North Wales Police Twitter account yesterday announced it would be introducing a scheme similar to that run by West Midlands Police.

 

 

If that sounds like there is no intent to prosecute, the Operation Snap web page makes clear this is not the case.

“Cyclists, both pedal and motor, are vulnerable on our roads. We see some awful very close passes and people pulling in and out of junctions, putting cyclists in danger. The publically available figures speak for themselves – cyclists come off worse when they are in collision with a car. Often the car driver has taken an unnecessary risk, or didn’t see them.

“We will not tolerate this and wish to support all road users, especially the most vulnerable, in having a safe journey. This includes taking positive action in respect of looking at your footage and witness testimony. We will work with you to seek prosecution when appropriate, so we can alter the behaviour of those who take unnecessary risks and put you in danger.”

They added that roads policing officers on bikes would be using “exactly the same systems” as the public to catch drivers breaking the law by driving carelessly and putting cyclists at risk when overtaking.

The force says it has been receiving more and more video and photographic evidence of driving offences and Operation Snap, which is in its pilot phase, is an effort to streamline the process.

Anyone who wishes to submit footage will first have to complete an online form giving details of what they are reporting. They are then sent a link where they can upload the footage.

The force is advising people not to publish video on social media. “Crown Prosecution Service advice is that your footage should not be in the public domain as this may adversely affect any subsequent proceedings.”

North Wales Police
close pass
video evidence
Operation Snap
Alex Bowden

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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11 comments

Avatar
Tommytrucker | 8 years ago
0 likes

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/toronto-cyclist-straps-swimming-noo...

Maybe we could use a similar idea over here, only with a diamond tip on the end so as to leave a nice little scratch if anybody gets close enough to touch it.

Avatar
pockstone | 8 years ago
0 likes

I was impressed with WM Police's initiative until I spoke to a friend from Birmingham. Out on a group ride recently she was aggressively revved at  from behind, followed by a deliberate close pass that became a ramming off the road. No bones broken but injured to the point of not being able to walk for several days. Fellow riders gave description of car & driver to (I assume) WMP. They decided it was 'not in the public interest' to check CCTV from the next junction, which the offending driver must have passed through. So, at the same time as WMP are planning their laudable close pass enforcement, they can't be arsed to investigate an actual deliberate ramming off the road, resulting in injury. Plus ca change.

Avatar
tritecommentbot | 8 years ago
2 likes

Brilliant stuff! Get over here North Wales. Group hug. Big squeeze-y one. 

 

laugh

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jollygoodvelo | 8 years ago
1 like

Superb.  It's really great to see these sensible, fair ideas getting traction.

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robertoegg | 8 years ago
6 likes

I implore eveyone to share this and WMPolice's tweets to their own Police Force. 

This is the beginnings of the most important shift in attitude I've seen in my years of commuting. Coming at a time when I notice more and more extreme behaviour towards me, I think it is critical to try to encorouge the rest of the nations forces to follow and adopt this message.

 

Well done North Wales Police!

Avatar
userfriendly replied to robertoegg | 8 years ago
1 like
robertoegg wrote:

I implore eveyone to share this and WMPolice's tweets to their own Police Force. 

This is the beginnings of the most important shift in attitude I've seen in my years of commuting. Coming at a time when I notice more and more extreme behaviour towards me, I think it is critical to try to encorouge the rest of the nations forces to follow and adopt this message.

I've just done exactly that. Not sure if Police Scotland can be bothered to pull their fingers out, but I suppose it's worth a shot.

Then again, the more people nudge them about it, the more likely it is they eventually will.

Avatar
WillRod | 8 years ago
2 likes

It seems to be spreading. Hopefully more police forces start having undercover cyclists too. 

They also need to change the law surrounding identifying drivers. There was a cyclist in Nottingham hit by a car, caught on camera very clearly, but you couldn't see the driver. There were two people listed as being able to drive the rented car, but they both denied driving at the time. The footage may convince the police that they need to investigate, but if the justice system fails it at the next hurdle, there is little point in the OpSnap idea.

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imajez replied to WillRod | 8 years ago
0 likes
WillRod wrote:

They also need to change the law surrounding identifying drivers. There was a cyclist in Nottingham hit by a car, caught on camera very clearly, but you couldn't see the driver. There were two people listed as being able to drive the rented car, but they both denied driving at the time. The footage may convince the police that they need to investigate, but if the justice system fails it at the next hurdle, there is little point in the OpSnap idea.

Yet I believe if caught by a speeding camera you cannot  do that. You have to say who was driving.

Avatar
the little onion replied to imajez | 8 years ago
0 likes
imajez wrote:
WillRod wrote:

They also need to change the law surrounding identifying drivers. There was a cyclist in Nottingham hit by a car, caught on camera very clearly, but you couldn't see the driver. There were two people listed as being able to drive the rented car, but they both denied driving at the time. The footage may convince the police that they need to investigate, but if the justice system fails it at the next hurdle, there is little point in the OpSnap idea.

Yet I believe if caught by a speeding camera you cannot  do that. You have to say who was driving.

 

Well, you can refuse to say who was driving, and get a certain punishment for that (can't remember how big the fine and how long the driving license revocation would be for this). However, this punishment can be LESS than the punishment for some driving crimes. So if you do kill someone whilst driving, just drive off and say you can't remember who was driving the car at the time, and get off with a lighter penalty!

 

Avatar
A2thaJ | 8 years ago
4 likes

Excellent work N.Wales! To be honest, when i cycle there the road users are typically more considerate than alot of other places i ride, but enforcement of the rules of the road is good in my book. Would love some of these initiatives to come to the South East.

Avatar
robertoegg replied to A2thaJ | 8 years ago
6 likes
A2thaJ wrote:

Excellent work N.Wales! To be honest, when i cycle there the road users are typically more considerate than alot of other places i ride, but enforcement of the rules of the road is good in my book. Would love some of these initiatives to come to the South East.

 

I agree with you - the vast majority of drivers are more than considerate. However, on a journey of 12miles in rush hour, I will inevitably have at least one who makes me go "SHHHHIIIIIIITTTTTTT!!!!!!". 

That's a minimum of 400 such moments a year.

Simply, a system where you could post footage and the driver could be given a standard letter advising they need to consider their responsibility to the welfare of other users would go a long way to helping I'm sure.

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