A campaign launched by Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner, to stop persistent offenders by limiting their use of the roads, is already yielding results.
Matthew Scott secured £100,000 funding for the initiative from the Department of Transport for Operation Voice, which has focussed activity on driving offences in Ashford, Chatham, Gillingham, Margate, Ramsgate and Dover. Other towns will also be supported with this activity.
Analysis commissioned by the PCC is helping the Force target its interventions.
83 stops have been made so far resulting in 55 traffic offence reports (TORs) or graduated fixed penalty notices (GFPNs). 4 arrests have been made and 3 vehicles have been seized.
A number of offenders did have a history of other crimes including violence against women and girls and drug driving offences.
Matthew Scott says, “I have been proud to have invested in roads policing and boost their numbers. Tackling road danger has always been a priority for me. Kent Police focusses on the offences that are most likely to contribute to death and serious injury on our roads, including speed, the use of mobile phones, seatbelts and impairment from drugs or alcohol. They also regularly patrol our roads to deal with people who are driving without tax or insurance.
“As this campaign proves, Roads policing also has other applications. My analysis is showing that by using roads policing, we can target a multitude of offenders committing crime and make both our roads and neighbourhoods safer.”
This is a pilot initiative and will continue into April.
