More traffic cops pledge

The Government has promised a much more visible police presence on our roads, reversing the current trend that’s seen steadily declining numbers of traffic cops.

The commitment came as part of the Road policing Strategy published today, Tuesday January 11, and also sees an increased commitment to the use of automatic number plate recognition systems, which is likely to get a corresponding crackdown on small numberplates.

Unfortunately the commitment to more actual police on our roads was accompanied by the announcement that the Government will continue to use speed cameras for “cutting casualties and deaths at collision blackspots”.

Home Office Minister Caroline Flint commented: “Roads policing is an important and valuable part of day-to-day policing. It not only helps reduce deaths and injuries on the roads, but reduces anti-social and criminal misuse of vehicles and provides a reassuring presence to the public.

“A key element in the strategy is the increased use of new technology such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition Technology (ANPR). Officers using ANPR make nine times the number of arrests and contribute to three times the number of offenders brought to justice compared with a conventional officer.

“But, technology is not the whole picture – the strategy will ensure that there is an adequate police presence on the roads to deal with significant problems which cannot be detected by technology, including drink and drug driving, and to help wider crime reduction.”