As part of the ongoing road safety operation, Operation Colossus, officers from Barrow’s Neighbourhood Policing Team and Cumbria’s Operational Support Unit carried out two checkpoint stops in Barrow yesterday (8 September).
Throughout the day, officers stopped over 100 vehicles and issued 14 traffic reports for offences including excess speed and not wearing a seatbelt.
Officers carried out two stop searches and also made two arrests, both for drug driving offences.
The stops were conducted on the A590 at Park Road and Ironworks Road initially, before officers also carried out some checks in Dalton-in-Furness, Ormsgill, Roose, Walney and Barrow Town Centre.
The operation was launched after concerns of anti-social driving were raised by communities across Cumbria. The operation works alongside Operation Enhance – the Constabulary’s long-standing crackdown on anti-social behaviour in hotspot areas (Op Enhance | Cumbria Police) – whilst enhancing road safety around the county to address your concerns.
Inspector Grant Kelso of the Barrow Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “We regularly hear from our communities that road safety remains one of their biggest concerns — and we take that seriously. It’s a priority for you, so it’s a priority for us.
“Yesterday’s operation is part of our continued efforts to crack down on dangerous and anti-social driving behaviours across Barrow.
“By taking proactive steps like this, we aim to make our roads safer for everyone and send a clear message that irresponsible driving will not be tolerated.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “The A590 is one of our main roads here in Cumbria with thousands of commuters using it every day. I know from growing up, living and working in that part of Cumbria how easy the A590 is put out of commission. All it takes is one careless collision and everything grinds to a halt.
“Driving dangerously on the A590 not only causes traffic mayhem, it places the offending driver’s life at risk and also risks the lives of other innocent motorists, cyclists and pedestrians that are following the law.
“I’m pleased to see the Police continuing to tackle anti-social and dangerous driving across the county as part of Operation Colossus. It was one of the main things people wanted to see tackled when I did my consultation last year and I am pleased that the Constabulary have been able to respond so decisively in respect of that public ask.
“If you see anyone driving recklessly or catch them doing so on a dashcam, please report and submit it to the Police through their website – it may just help save a life.”