There are no current plans for a dedicated police unit monitoring the Isle of Wight’s roads, Hampshire Constabulary has said.
It is, however, ‘actively considering options to develop the capability’ on the Island and reaffirmed the force’s commitment to ensuring road safety.
Different level of demand on the Island
One of the reasons the Island has a dual-skilled road police and armed response unit instead of a dedicated unit, a Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson said, is due to the different level of demand on the Island, for example, the fact there are no motorways.
The unit regularly undertakes proactive work to target the illegal use of roads, they said, with operations at speeding hotspots including the Military Road, targeted campaigns around drink and drug driving and working alongside other agencies, including the DVLA, to seize vehicles that are not roadworthy.
Will review operating model ‘in light of social changes’
The spokesperson said the team’s skills and equipment allow them to deal with road policing needs, like roadside offences, collisions, making scenes safe and breathalysing or drug testing drivers.
It said it is regularly looking at ways it can improve the service and will continue to review its operating model ‘in light of social changes’, changes in demand and its resourcing capabilities.
As much about education as it is about enforcement
The spokesperson said, though, policing the roads is as much about education as it is about enforcement.
During one operation in the West Wight, officers spoke to local motorcycle groups to discuss the safe use of roads, following concerns raised locally.
Call for dedicated unit
The need for a dedicated roads policing unit on the Island has been called for by Isle of Wight Conservative MP, Bob Seely, council leader Cllr Lora Peacey Wilcox and the Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils.
In a letter to the force’s chiefs, Mr Seely and Cllr Peacey-Wilcox said they felt dangerous driving on the Island is becoming more of a problem and asked that serious consideration be given for a dedicated police unit.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
Image: westmidlandspolice under CC BY 2.0
