Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has welcomed the success of tough new action to tackle car cruising with incidents already falling in some parts of the force area.
Racing and nuisance driving is an issue repeatedly raised by the public and the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland PCC vowed to work with the force to step up patrols and enforcement to hold more perpetrators to account.
Officers are also working closely with Community Safety Partnerships and are using civil action to clamp down on the behaviour.
Dozens of Section 59 warnings have been issued to offenders in recent months with vehicles seized from those who have persisted in their behaviour.
Police are using CCTV and ANPR cameras to help identify vehicles and have warned repeat offenders that they will be caught and made to face the full arm of the law.
Areas such as Charnwood have seen a significant reduction in reported car cruises while intelligence-led patrols in ‘hotspot' car cruising locations across the force area is continuing to identify repeat offenders.
Mr Matthews said: "Car cruising is not only illegal but extremely dangerous. Elsewhere across the country, innocent drivers have been forced off the road with some suffering injuries or even death after being hit by vehicles out of control.
"I receive many complaints about this behaviour and have given my full support to the Chief Constable to take the strong and effective action necessary to tackle this issue. I am pleased to see that the extra enforcement is having an effect, but we will not be resting in our laurels. Drivers should be aware that officers are using the full suite of their powers and state-of-the-art technology to identify dangerous drivers - anyone who ignores the warnings will be prosecuted.
"The safety of our roads is a priority for me. Our partners at North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) recently secured a new three-year ban enabling enforcement officers to issue fixed penalty fines to dangerous and anti-social drivers across the whole of Castle Donington. I will be monitoring the impact of this ban closely and will support all future efforts by the force and our partners to deal with this issue proactively."
The force is employing a phased approach to offending, initially providing advice or a warning letter to drivers before moving on to issuing a Section 59 warning. This is a warning given under the Police Reform Act 2002 to a motorist whose manner of driving is causing/has been causing, or is likely to cause, alarm, distress or annoyance to the public.
If the driver ignores the warning and reoffends within a 12-month period, the vehicle can be seized and, if not collected after paying recovery and storage costs, will be crushed.
Additionally, officers are able to recover a car if there is no insurance in place under Section 165 of the Road Traffic Act.
Progress to date:
Market Harborough NPA
- 15 warnings letters sent out after last car cruise reported in April.
- Police recently deployed to reports of a car cruise on A6, but no cars were seen.
Hinckley and Blaby NPA
- 10 Sec 59 warnings issued following car cruise in Hinckley reported in February.
- No further events reported.
- Over 12-month period, total of 15 Sec 50 notices have been issued and two cars seized.
Charnwood
- Significant drop in car cruises on A512 noted with year-on-year incident reduction from 52 to 10.
- Following previous incidents on the A512, 30 warning letters were issued and 10 Sec 59 warnings given.
North West Leicestershire
- Continues to be a ‘hotspot' for car cruising and the area is subject to intelligence-led patrol plans and a new ban.
- 80 warning letters issued in past 12 months, 11 Sec 59 orders given, and three drivers reported for summons for traffic related offences.
- 60 vehicles caught on camera on August 26th in Castle Donington. Civil action in the process of being taken.
Note:
- A section 59 warning can be issued to a driver and vehicle when the manner of driving if likely to cause, alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public. If they receive a further section 59 the vehicle will be seized and could also lead to prosecution.
