THE RACE is on in Worcestershire to crack down on dangerous drivers as car cruising meets continue to attract nuisance motorists.
Police are taking steps to reassure communities across the county who are growing frustrated with the popularity of such events.
West Mercia’s Operational Policing Unit (OPU) have attended events in Redditch, Bromsgrove and Worcester in recent weeks and say they have a ‘robust’ plan in place to stop any dangerous driving, speeding or anti-social behaviour.
Car cruises are where drivers meet on public roads to race or show off their vehicles. A minority of these drivers perform dangerous stunts and drive at excessive speed and in an anti-social manner.
Such cruises can also attract large crowds who according to police are ‘mainly well-behaved’ though they risk being injured by those cars driving dangerously and a minority may commit anti-social behaviour.
OPU inspector Stephanie Arrowsmith said: “Car cruising meets remain a popular activity, particularly with motoring enthusiasts from a younger demographic.
“We are supportive of these groups and engage with them, however we are trying to maintain a balance between those who attend car cruise meets and local residents.
“Sometimes a minority can ruin these events for the majority who just want to socialise with like-minded people. Noisy exhausts, crowds and speeding cars all have an impact on the surrounding neighbourhoods and can have affect people’s quality of life.”
Those who commit offences will be dealt with under the Road Traffic Act, or if they are negatively impacting on the surrounding communities, they will be dealt with via a tiered system, starting with an ASB letter, a Community Protection Warning, or if they are involved in a further incident a Community Protection Notice.
Drivers could also see their vehicle seized by police.
“Please be assured our OPU team is ready to deal with any motorists who break the law either through dangerous driving or speeding or any onlookers through anti-social behaviour,” added Insp Arrowsmith.
“Our interventions are borderless so all people, regardless of if they reside on our force area or not will be dealt with in the same way.”
The force are also urging people to submit dash cam footage of any street racing or dangerous driving through the Operation Snap portal or police website.
Visit https://www.westmercia.police.uk//police-forces/west-mercia-police/areas/west-mercia/campaigns/campaigns/2019/operation-snap/ and https://www.westmercia.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ for more information.
