Author: Fraser Pithie

Warwickshire Police’s Commercial Vehicle Unit detected 211 offences during a five day Operation between 14-18 September 2020 in support of Project Edward, the campaign for Every Day Without A Road Death, by taking the “Op Tramline” “Supercab” out on the roads to identify risky driver behaviours that could cause or contribute towards a collision.

During the operation, officers used the specially-adapted HGV owned by Highways England to observe driver behaviours in all vehicles and deal with any offences.

During the week, 41 people received Traffic Offence Reports (TORs) for using a handheld mobile phone whilst driving – often at high speed (this is a potential 6 points on their licence and a £200 fine).

Shockingly, some 68 people also received TORs after choosing not to wear a seatbelt (potential £100 fine). Even though wearing a seatbelt could save their life if they were involved in a collision.

25 people received TORs for not being in control of their vehicle (3 points and £100 fine) and 12 people were stopped for speeding.

One man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class B – Cannabis after he was stopped for traffic offences on the M40 southbound on Thursday morning. A significant quantity of the drug was recovered following a search of the vehicle.

One HGV was seen driving on the hard shoulder at over 50mph where a family could potentially be stationary if broken down. When officers looked into his cab he was spotted on his mobile phone. Another driver, not content with being on the phone, thought he would read his delivery notes whilst driving at the national speed limit on the M40. Officers also observed a driver watching TV on a laptop whilst travelling on the M40 at nearly 60mph. 

Project Edward focussed on those who drive for work and around 35% of all drivers stopped were in commercial vehicles also putting their livelihoods in jeopardy. For two drivers, the offences were so serious they were referred to the Traffic Commissioner.

PS Carl Stafford said “This is sadly only a snapshot of the week’s findings and unfortunately demonstrates the real driver behaviours that are taking place on a daily basis on our roads.

“We will continue to proactively police Warwickshire’s roads including the M6, M40, M42 and M69 by looking for people that could pose serious danger to themselves and other road users. By stopping them and dealing with any offences we hope to change their behaviour and to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.”

“We continue to be the leading force nationally for Operation Tramline and this is testament to the dedication of the officers and volunteers within both OPU and our Special Constabulary who assist in this and many other operations. “

Highways England Assistant Regional Safety Co-ordinator Marie Biddulph said:

“It is disappointing that so many people were caught driving illegally and dangerously over the five days by our Operation Tramline supercabs. Particularly alarming is how many people still choose not to wear a seatbelt or will use their mobile phone at the wheel.

“We know that it is the minority of drivers that ignore the law but they are putting themselves and others at risk.

“Thanks to the elevated position in the HGV, our police partners are able to spot such dangerous drivers and to act as a deterrent to others. We are very grateful to Warwickshire Police for helping us improve safety on our roads.”

The full week’s figures are below:

Mobile phone offences 41

Not in proper control of a vehicle 20

Not wearing a seatbelt 68

Speeding 12

Hard shoulder violations 8

Vehicle condition and use 13

Load safety 12

Driving without due care and attention 5

Other 9

Please be aware that between 16.30hrs and 17.30hrs on Sunday 4 October 2020 offenders smashed the rear nearside window of  a Ford Ranger motor vehicle while it was parked on Crackley Lane, Kenilworth. The offenders made an untidy search of the vehicle and stole a handbag that included a purse and bank cards.

This is incident 275 of 4 October 2020

Please be aware that between 18.00hrs and 21.00hrs on Sunday 4 October 2020 offenders smashed the rear nearside window of a white Vauxhall Viva  motor vehicle that was parked at Abbey End, Kenilworth. The offenders stole a purse from inside the vehicle.

This is incident 362 of 4 October 2020

If you think you may have seen or heard anything suspicious or have any information about either of these incidents then please contact Warwickshire Police on 101 or alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

IT’S A PHRASE that one hears now and again and usually when a crime has taken place. The reality is that despite their best efforts Warwickshire Police cannot prevent every crime from taking place. Wherever people live, the combination of opportunist criminals and some residents that don’t realise how easy a target they maybe is often all that is needed for someone to become a victim of crime.

On a number of occasions, particularly on some social media platforms, there are comments that suggest Kenilworth has no police presence ‘because there is no police station’. The fact is there is a police presence in Kenilworth in two forms. Firstly, there is the Safer Neighbourhood Team who ARE based in Kenilworth. In addition, there is an emergency response team assigned to Kenilworth and the surrounding area 24/7. So, there IS a police presence in and around Kenilworth.

There will always be a minority of people that will complain about the police and their service, that is of course their right to do so, and in some cases things will need to be addressed because mistakes can be made.

We at Kenilworth Watch have criticised and held the police to account in the past, and publicly, about timely information related to crime. However, we recognise the need to be balanced and fair in anything we say. What we do know is that for over two years Kenilworth has had a committed and forward thinking Safer Neighbourhood Team who are engaged with the local community and know the area and its issues well. That’s why today we wanted to share with you some of the activities that have been going on in and around Kenilworth in the last few days.

Earlier this week some of the SNT, namely PC’s Anna Brown, Steve Jones, Joe Gordon and PCSO Rachael Clayton recovered two separate sets of property arising from recent local burglaries. An arrest was also made of a person who was found to be carrying an offensive weapon and who was believed to be committing a burglary. Other offences are also being investigated.

On Friday, (2 October 2020) PC Jones and PCSO Clayton found themselves behind a vehicle on the Warwick Road in Kenilworth where the registered keeper was showing as wanted for an offence of false imprisonment and other offences. They followed the vehicle and stopped it in Kenilworth and the driver was arrested by PC Jones.

In addition, this week police teams have attended reports of domestic violence situations, incidents involving theft, sudden deaths, road traffic collisions, telephone scams and suspicious activity reports to name but a few. Many of these types of incidents require several hours of detailed work by officers to resolve or progress appropriately.

Just because most of us don’t see this sort of stuff going on doesn’t mean there is not a police presence or indeed police activity going on in and around our town. Great results like those we have just shared don’t just happen, they occur after investigation, foot work, attention to detail and getting out and about and pursuing criminals. Kenilworth Watch wants to place on record its thanks to all those in Warwickshire Police who come to work and book onto their shifts to protect our lives and our property and for being prepared to place themselves at risk doing so.

THANK YOU.

Kenilworth Watch are pleased to report that work by Kenilworth’s Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) earlier today (Tuesday 29 September 2020) led to PC Gordon, PC Brown and PC Jones of Kenilworth SNT, making an arrest for burglary and seizing items of property at an address in the town.

Enquiries following other recent incidents in Kenilworth led officers to a burglary in progress. An offender was located inside the property and arrested by PC Gordon. During a search of the property a male was also found to be in possession of an offensive weapon.

RESIDENTS are advised to be aware of bogus Covid -19 Testing telephone calls that are being made by telephone. These calls are bogus and are being made by people with the criminal intent to deceive callers and make payment from there bank account or credit cards.

Please ensure that any elderly or vulnerable persons that you may care for or know are advised to put the phone receiver down and make sure that when they pick it back up there is a dialling tone. These bogus “Covid-19 Test & Trace” calls are VERY plausible and there is genuine concern that some people could be easily tricked into providing their bank account /credit card details.

This is an example call which has received by someone who realised it was bogus, despite the householder realising the call was suspicious and thus challenged the caller you will note how persistent the caller was:

Caller: Good afternoon I’m calling from the NHS track and trace service. According to our system, you are likely to have been in close proximity to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. This means that you now need to self-isolate for 7 days and take a COVID-19 test.

Householder: OK. Can you tell me who that person was?

Caller: I’m not able to tell you that. That is confidential information. But you do need to be tested within the next 72 hours. So can I just get the best mailing address so that we can send a kit to you?

Householder: OK (gives address)

Caller: I just need to take a payment card so that we can finalise this and send the kit to you.

Householder: Sorry – a payment card? I thought this was all free?

Caller: No – I’m afraid not. There is a one-off fee of £50 for the kit and test results. Could you read off the long card number for me, please, when you’re ready.

Householder: No – that’s not right. This is part of the NHS so there’s no charge.’

Caller: I’m afraid there is. Can you give me the card number please – this is very important, and there are penalties for not complying.

The telephone call was then terminated by the householder.

The above demonstrates how plausible such a call could be and how it could worry some people especially with the added concern arising from Covid -19 situation. Please be aware of this and other similar scams.

PLEASE DO NOT PROVIDE BANK, CREDIT CARD OR EVEN YOUR PERSONAL DETAILS, SUCH AS DATE OF BIRTH OR YOUR ADDRESS, TO UNEXPECTED TELEPHONE CALLS.