Still setting the standard for all other police forces.
https://trafficwmp.wordpress.com/2017/01/11/climbing-mountains/
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
West Midlands Police just raised the bar...
(125 posts)-
Posted 7 years ago #
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Everyone should read all of that. I do like the author's dry sense of humour:
"Operation Closepass #GiveSpaceBeSafe has now become a huge thing, a huge work generating quite awkward thing. Awkward you may ask, why awkward? Well it was rather well received, all of sudden we were receiving praise and some might say being “liked” which is rather discomforting for traffic officers, as we are somewhat conditioned to being disliked and receiving negative feedback. After all we are not the smiley happy branch of the modern police force, we are the spreaders of misery and gloom generally among the road going populace, the dour faced donut eating aviator wearing, Road Traffic Act preachers of doom. So the positive feedback and support for our first tender new steps in a new direction have left us standing around, blushing slightly with our hands behind our backs whispering things like “well this is all a little unnecessary, we’re only doing what we are paid to do”."They give some tips about bike lights right at the end, but that section finishes "remember, you could be as easy to see as a supernova exploding in your neighbour’s garden, but if another road user is distracted by their phone, lunch or whatever else they prioritise above your wellbeing they won’t see you because they aren’t looking"
Posted 7 years ago # -
"...we are also thankful for the negative feedback received from some members of the public and press, your response which was in the minority, strengthens our faith that we have made the right decisions in order to make our roads and communities safer, thankyou, after all you were most likely our primary target audience, and now you’re aware so there can be no excuses…….we don’t care what you think, a life is a life, the law is the law, it’s all a matter of priorities..."
That'll be Jeremy Clarkson and his chums put in their place then.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Initiative now coming to Edinburgh!
Posted 7 years ago # -
"#OpSaferCrossing had a run out today, 18 offences, 14 of which were directly endangering vulnerable road users at a busy crossing location."
https://mobile.twitter.com/Trafficwmp/status/826566601470332929
Outstanding.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Absolutely.
Incidentally, one of the police officers who dealt with my latest complaint said he was going to be involved with the close pass operation when it gets going here.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Did he say when it's going to start?
Posted 7 years ago # -
No, but I got the impression it would be fairly soon.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Police Scotland giveth with one hand, taketh away with the other.
While perusing Leith Central CC minutes from December (fascinating) I came across this gem (emphasis mine):
Community Police Officer’s Report
The PCs reported, either in their main report or in response to questions:
• November crime statistics were not yet available
• In November and December, the Community Police Officers (CPOs) had focussed on
o retail crime (i.e. theft), e.g. in Ocean Terminal – such crimes tend to increase this time of year
o educating drivers and enforce driving law (1 vehicle seizure), e.g. targeting antisocial behaviour of ‘boy racers’, iaising with primary schools re road safety.
o high-visibility patrols in Bellevue and Bonnington to reassure residents and deter criminals
o execution of a drugs supply warrant, resulting in arrest of heroin suppliers and a firearms offender
o action on licensed premises
o action on child abduction
o making cyclists who don’t have lights on their bikes at night to get off and push.So cyclists without lights is right up there on the local police priority action list, along with child abduction, heroin dealers, firearms offenders and 'boy racers'.
I look forward to speeding motorists in 20 zones being made to get out and push by PC Copper, also those using mobile phones, etc.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Police:Scotland should really understand that ScotSquad isn't a best practice guide.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I think that's a pretty good idea actually. I think a lot of cyclists don't have a scoobie just how invisible they are to a driver at night when filtering up the left of a car in the dark.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Weren't WMP issuing cyclists with lights where they didn't already have a set? or was that someone else.
My favourite item from the list is
educating drivers and enforce driving law (1 vehicle seizure), e.g. targeting antisocial behaviour of ‘boy racers’, iaising with primary schools re road safety.Are they dealing with a spate of complaints about drivers flouting road closure notices and the local PTA parking badly or have they forgotten that primary age children don't drive.
Posted 7 years ago # -
https://trafficwmp.wordpress.com/2017/02/10/driving-an-extinction-event/amp/
We were trusted with the ultimate responsibility, the task of piloting motorised vehicles, all be it to a strict set of laws and guidelines, necessary due to the damage a motorised vehicle of any size or form can do to the frail human form. Yet we have shown as a collective, us drivers and riders of mechanically propelled vehicles, that we are incapable of carrying the burden and shrug continually the social responsibility of being good law abiding road users
It's incredible that police officers are writing this. How long before the Daily Mail demands it is stopped?
Posted 7 years ago # -
Oh man, these guys are incredible. They are now thinking about sending cycling officers along with clubs having problems on rural routes.
"@Trafficwmp:
@WtrlvileCyclist @gmptraffic @OfficialTfGM or if we link in with clubs who have issues on rural runs & send an officer with them #cameras"
Posted 7 years ago # -
How long before the Daily Mail demands it is stopped?
I'm really worried that there's some machinations behind the scenes that will put an end to this work. Am I just paranoid?
Posted 7 years ago # -
Oh man, these guys are incredible. They are now thinking about sending cycling officers along with clubs having problems on rural routes.
If this was tried with ERC I suspect the peleton would try to drop them.Posted 7 years ago # -
Oh man, these guys are incredible. They are now thinking about sending cycling officers along with clubs having problems on rural routes.
Police Scotland can't follow suit soon enough. Two days ago a police officer shrugged his shoulders and asked if I was a driver myself when I showed him videos of illegal overtakes on the A702.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Was close passed at lunchtime by police van SF16NYO going up Craiglockhart Avenue, at a traffic island pinch point no less. Swine. Long way to go in this wee benighted land unfortunately.
Posted 7 years ago # -
@Murun
Maybe we need a thread titled, "Edinburgh police just lowered the bar"?
It's hard to believe that there'll be any enforcement of close passing laws as long as the poice themselves seem to be ignorant of the laws.
(In which case, what was the purpose of their visit to WMP? Just a jolly?)
Posted 7 years ago # -
I suspect that what is happening in West Midlands isn't force wide, or even supported by all their colleagues.
On the few occasions I've dealt with local plod re cycling related incidents, I've found them to be either very supportive or very not interested.
I guess thats the problem dealing with big organisations/institutions. They employ lots of human folk in the same role, but who who have a very varied skill and attitude sets.
Posted 7 years ago # -
(In which case, what was the purpose of their visit to WMP? Just a jolly?)
Some of Edinburgh's traffic police will be carrying out their own Operation Close Pass, starting in "spring". A month or so ago, a police officer who told me he was going to be taking part in it said it would be starting in either February or March (so presumably March, now).
The majority of police officers may not even be aware this is happening. This if, of course, no excuse for dangerous driving on their part.
On the few occasions I've dealt with local plod re cycling related incidents, I've found them to be either very supportive or very not interested.
This is my experience as well, although perhaps "sympathetic" is a better word than "supportive". Some have been positively enthusiastic, other have been quite bemused that someone would take the trouble to report a driver "for overtaking a cyclist?" (at 60mph, on double solid lines, with oncoming traffic).
Posted 7 years ago # -
On the few occasions I've dealt with local plod re cycling related incidents, I've found them to be either very supportive or very not interested.
I suspect this is based entirely on whether the PC in question rides a bike themselves. If so, understanding, if not, "Why are you bothering me with this inconsequential stuff?"
I bet WMP has someone very high up who regularly cycles.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I've never understood Police Scotland's argument that cam footage can't be used.
Just seemed like nonsense to me.
For example, imagine if CCTV footage caught a murder on camera and that was the only strong evidence, would they really not use it?
And, if the answer is that, because it's a murder they'd use it, then that means cam footage can be used, full stop.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Scots law requires corroboration.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Scots law requires corroboration.
This is not the reason police give to me when they say they can't use my videos to prosecute close passes. They always say "it's difficult to see exactly how close they are to you from the video - they'd never get convicted if it went to court."Posted 7 years ago # -
@Frenchy - Ah yes, the 'lazy b' excuse. Polis Scotland has little else in its locker. As above, Northumbria Police are at least going to attempt it.
Besides, with bikecams, there generally is corroboration. The footage and the statement of the rider (if the police can be bothered collecting it).
Posted 7 years ago # -
Magnatom has seen motorists convicted of driving offences purely on the basis of his cam footage. Therefore it is possible in Scotland.
Posted 7 years ago # -
The corroboration consists of the cyclists account and the police officers that views the video
Posted 7 years ago # -
"Cycling UK launches ‘Too Close For Comfort’ Kickstarter campaign to make great work by West Midlands Police go nationwide."
"‘Too Close for Comfort’ aims to raise £12,000 to fund the purchase of 50 close pass mats. These mats will then be distributed around each force operating in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to allow them to operate similar road safety education and enforcement operations. Cycling UK has spoken to several forces which have shown their interest and appreciation for having mats provided."Posted 7 years ago #
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