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Auto Express
a day ago
- Auto Express
Cyclists blame drivers as UK roads get more dangerous
The number of cyclists submitting footage of poor and sometimes even dangerous driving has sky-rocketed over the past few years, effectively doubling since 2021 – with more than half of those caught now being prosecuted. A Freedom of Information request by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart found that the number of instances of riders submitting video clips to the police of dangerous drivers rose from 7,249 in 2021 to 15,779 in 2024. The figure comes from 20 different police forces across the UK (43 were approached), with the footage collected as part of Operation Snap – an initiative designed to help process evidence of dangerous driving submitted by the public. Advertisement - Article continues below All 20 of the forces that submitted data reported instances of perilously close passes of cyclists by cars – up from 2021, when just 14 forces said they'd received evidence of this. The most common location for this type of manoeuvre was Avon and Somerset, with 3,500 people reporting instances to the police. Such a figure is not surprising when you consider that of 655 people surveyed by IAM RoadSmart, more than half (58 per cent) didn't know that drivers must give cyclists a minimum of 1.5 metres of space when overtaking them. While the number of submissions is rising, it's worth pointing out that the police are beginning to take action, with roughly one in two (54 per cent) of those caught in the act on camera being served a Notice of Intended Prosecution. Driving too close to a cyclist is categorised under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as 'Careless Driving' and can leave you liable to receiving six penalty points and a fixed fine of £100. Going to court could increase the fine and the number of points issued even further. Spokesperson for IAM RoadSmart, Harriet Hernando, described the current situation as 'extremely concerning', reminding drivers that 'passing too closely to a cyclist can be intimidating and dangerous, especially if they need to move out to avoid a pothole'. Hernando added: 'While it is heartening to see that prosecution rates have increased, it would be better if it didn't reach that stage and motorists weren't doing it in the first place.' Did you know you can sell your car through Auto Express ? We'll help you get a great price and find a great deal on a new car, too .
BBC News
10-06-2025
- BBC News
Bristol Airport customers warned to avoid 'rogue' parking firms
Holidaymakers have been warned by police to only use official airport parking companies after vehicles suffered suspected criminal damage and were left with "unexplained additional mileage".Avon and Somerset Police (ASP) said it held a day of action targeting parking firms operating near Bristol customers' cars were involved in parking and driving offences while they were on holiday or were driven by people suspected of being uninsured, police were also given back to their owners in an "undriveable or unroadworthy" condition, police added. The operation was held on 3 June and involved North Somerset Council, the Immigration Enforcement Team and the Motor Insurance Bureau. ASP said officers involved found and returned 20 vehicles to their owners after unofficial meet-and-greet companies did not give them back straight away, leaving the families waiting "for hours" after landing."Not only were holidaymakers left abandoned, but one of the images from the operation shows a customer's vehicle was being used to drive around the area returning keys which were piled up on the front seat and in the footwell, which were effectively insecure and at risk of being stolen," a police statement said. Sgt Danielle Hardaway, one of the senior officers involved in the day of action, said: "We have had reports of cars being returned damaged or with excess mileage and, in some cases, have been driven by people who are uninsured as well as being involved in driving offences."In some cases, vehicles left in dangerous or obstructive positions in local villages had to be towed away."We ask people to always choose reputable parking operators, and to choose them carefully, and if the price seems too good to be true, then it often is."The force added people should look for approved businesses when choosing where to leave their Airport chief executive David Lees said he welcomed the operation targeting what he called "rogue operators"."They are a nuisance to local communities and cause distress to customers who use them – with many completely unaware of where their cars end up," he added.
BBC News
10-06-2025
- BBC News
Student PC in Bristol sacked for working in bar and as a referee
A student police officer has been barred from the profession for life after taking on extra paid work both as a referee and a barman without PC Louis Cosway, of Avon and Somerset Police, took on extra work both while suspended from duty and during a period of long-term sick Cosway, based in Bristol, was found to have committed gross misconduct at a hearing on Mark Ley-Morgan, representing the force, said the officer's actions were likely to cause "serious harm to the reputation of the police service". Mr Cosway was suspended for an unrelated matter in November 2023, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said, which was lifted the following was then placed on a period of restricted duties, before going on sick leave for six in December 2023 he submitted a business interest application to Avon & Somerset Police to work as a paid referee for the Football officer was informed in February 2024 that he had been refused permission to undertake the work, but had already refereed seven matches for cash-in-hand at Shirehampton. Between July and December 2024 he completed 13 paid shifts at a bar in Newport while on sick leave without ever having put in a request for Ley-Morgan told the hearing at force headquarters in Portishead that the officer did not submit a business interest application for the bar work because he knew it was unlikely to be said such work could potentially create a conflict of interest, because as a constable he could be duty-bound to intervene in a potential incident at the bar, while as a barman he may have been required to stay out of it."The constabulary's business interests procedural guidance is crystal clear – police officers are not permitted to engage in business interests without first gaining permission, and if they do engage in business interests, they should disclose it straight away," Mr Ley-Morgan said. 'Serious harm' "This is a case where serious harm to the reputation of the police service is likely to follow."Mr Cosway, who represented himself at the hearing, admitted breaching the standards of professional behaviour and misconduct but denied gross made mitigation representations, which were heard in the decision to dismiss the officer without notice, panel chairman Craig Holden said: "You had been subject to another misconduct investigation which you say affected your judgement. "The officer has apologised and showed what appears to be genuine remorse."It appears the officer has acted out of character."But he said Mr Cosway was entirely responsible for his actions and that a right-minded member of the public would think what he did was of the police standards department Det Supt Larisa Hunt said afterwards: "This is completely unacceptable behaviour and a clear breach of the standards of professional behaviour for which he's now been dismissed from his role and barred from policing for life."
Telegraph
09-06-2025
- Telegraph
Police officer held down laptop keys to pretend he was working
A police officer who worked from home weighted down his laptop keys to make it look as though he was working. Pc Liam Reakes's deception cost his force more than 100 hours of work time, a misconduct hearing was told. He has been barred from policing for life. His actions came to light after Avon and Somerset Constabulary carried out an audit of keystrokes, which flagged his total as 'significantly higher' than colleagues in similar roles. At an accelerated misconduct hearing on Monday, he was added to the national barred list, which will prevent him from working in policing or other law enforcement agencies again. The panel ruled that the officer, who served in Yeovil, had committed gross misconduct and would have been dismissed had he not resigned already. Craig Holden, the panel's chairman, was told the offending took place between June and September last year. It was heard that Pc Reakes 'held down keys at regular intervals'. He had been made the subject of an action plan and even been allocated a tutor to try and alleviate concerns about his performance before the audit took place. However, he continued to deceive superiors to 'make it appear as if he was working when he was not'. Det Supt Larisa Hunt, the head of the professional standards department, said: 'The use of any device or system to replicate keyboard activity is wholly wrong and deceptive and the public will be rightly outraged at this behaviour. 'Not only has he let down those he made a commitment to serve and protect, he's also let down his colleagues, who are continuing to deal with significant pressure and workloads. 'We're continually reminding line managers of their key responsibilities to hold regular check-ins, one-to-ones, and reviews, so the wellbeing and capacity of their staff can be properly monitored. 'It's also important for performance issues to be identified early and any necessary support or training put in place to help resolve them.' Crime rates soaring A Telegraph audit previously found police forces across the country are failing to get staff back into the office, despite crime rates soaring since the pandemic. In March, the Metropolitan Police was hit with its second bout of strike action by its workforce because of a dispute over work from home rules. Since 2021, many civilian staff have enjoyed generous hybrid working arrangements, with many departments struggling to enforce a return to pre-pandemic office attendance levels.
BBC News
08-06-2025
- BBC News
Thirteen arrested after illegal quarry rave in Somerset
Thirteen people have been arrested and five van-loads of music equipment seized after an illegal rave at a quarry in Somerset, police have and Somerset Police said they were called to an event attended by about 200 people at Asham Quarry near Frome at about 01:20 tried to get people to leave but music was not turned off until 09:30, with the last attendees cleared out by 14:00, the force Insp Becky Wells-Cole, from neighbourhood policing, said: "I understand this has been a long evening for members of the local community and I would like to reassure them that we have had officers on the scene since receiving the first phone call." The 13 people arrested were taken to police custody to be questioned, she said, while five van-loads of music equipment and staging were Insp Wells-Cole said: "Large scale unauthorised music events require extensive police resources and a very thought out and calculated approach to bring it to a safe conclusion."Due to the quarry having a single public highway entry and exit point, heavy foliage and treelines, with zero visibility owing to the time of night, our response needed to consider the safety of our officers and members of the public, in shutting down the event and dispersing those seeking to attend this illegal event." Ch Insp Wells-Cole said police were carrying out extra patrols in the area."We understand events like this can have a significant impact on the community and I would like to thank residents for their patience and understanding," she said."We would also like to thank our colleagues at the ambulance service for supporting our efforts today in providing medical attention to those who needed it."
