An operation targeting road safety was held in Carlisle yesterday (Aug 14) Operation Colossus is a joint initiative between with Operational Support and local Neighbourhood Policing Teams.
The operation was launched after concerns were raised by communities of anti-social driving across Cumbria, the operation running over 15-weeks 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.
Yesterday, officers stopped a total of 20 vehicles following checks carried out in the Orton Road area of Carlisle.
As well as officers pulling over vehicles, officers from Operational Support were patrolling the area to identify those committing criminal offences.
Officers also issued ten traffic reports for various offences and uplifted three vehicles.
An off-road bike was sighted by officers driving dangerously on Orton Road, officers identified the suspect and carried out arrest enquiries. The suspect wasn’t home, but officers seized another motorbike from the address.
Inspector Andy Leather from the Carlisle Neighbourhood Policing Team said “This is an issue raised to us by our communities.
“Yesterday’s operation supports our ongoing work to target those driving dangerously and anti-socially within Carlisle.
“The irresponsible use of an illegal bike on Orton Road highlighted the dangerous nature of their use on our roads putting others at risk.
“I would encourage anyone with concerns about anti-social driving or someone driving dangerously on our roads to report it.”
If you see someone using our roads in a dangerous or anti-social way, please report it to the Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “Keeping Cumbria’s roads safe is a key priority for the Constabulary and I.
“Most of us, thankfully, will never be a victim of a serious crime but we are likely to witness or be affected by dangerous and anti-social driving.
“I’m pleased to see that Operation Colossus is continuing to be a success in taking dangerous drivers off our roads.
“I would encourage the public to continue to report dangerous driving to the Police – it helps build evidence which means we know where to put our resources.
“As Commissioner, I am the residents voice – your voice – in Policing and Fire. If you have any concerns around dangerous driving not being taken seriously in your area, please contact me on 01768 217734 or at commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk.”
Operation Snap is a national operation enabling the public to submit video evidence of road traffic offences, quickly and easily, to the police.
Members of the public can report road traffic offences here National Dash Cam Safety Portal | Nextbase or Making a road traffic incident report | Cumbria Police
This includes:
- Overtaking on solid white lines
- Using a mobile phone whilst driving
- Failing to comply with traffic signals
- Contravening traffic directions
- Endangering other road user through poor driving