Enforcement
About this Service
The Road Policing Unit of Wiltshire Police work to the current National Road Policing Priorities as determined by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). These are:
- Enhancing Public Confidence By Patrolling Roads
- Denying Criminals Use Of The Roads
- Reducing Road Casualties
- Preventing Illegal And Anti-Social Use Of Vehicles
- Countering Terrorism On The Road Network
Road Policing officers, work from three strategically placed operating centres across the County of Wiltshire, these being based at
- Amesbury
- Chippenham
- Swindon
Road Policing officers patrol in both marked and unmarked Police Vehicles along with a number of marked Police Motorcycles. All of the vehicles are equipped with sound and video recording equipment and the majority have Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology.
The Unit has five main enforcement themes, these being tackling those drivers who
- Drive under the influence of Alcohol and/or drugs
- Drive without insurance
- Fail to wear their seatbelt along with their passengers
- Use mobile phones whilst driving
- Drive Larger Goods Vehicles who break the law with reference to drivers’ hours and/or those who are carrying dangerous or overweight loads
The Wiltshire Police generally take the lead on enforcement of road traffic law; however of particular importance is the enforcement of speed restrictions with safety cameras which is a partnership matter.
In April 2002 the Wiltshire and Swindon Safety Camera Partnership was accepted into the Government’s safety camera costs recovery scheme which allowed the fine revenue from enforcement by speed and red light cameras to be used to refund the costs of their installation, operation and maintenance.
In 2006 the Government changed this arrangement so that any revenue generated goes straight to HM Treasury. To fund safety cameras, their infrastructure and other associated costs, including some monies for further road safety education and publicity, the Department for Transport created an annual grant to Local Authority’s to continue paying for these services.
The local Safety Camera Partnership comprises representatives of Wiltshire Constabulary, Wiltshire Council, Swindon Borough Council, The Highways Agency, Magistrates’ Court Service, Crown Prosecution Service and the Health Authority.
The aim of the Partnership is to reduce casualties from road collisions by the operation of safety cameras to positively influence driver compliance with speed limits and by increased activity in the area of education and information aimed at changing the attitude of offending drivers and society in general.
Details of the camera enforcement undertaken in Wiltshire can be accessed on the Safety Camera Partnership website.
Contact Details
Email: customerservices@wiltshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 456 0100
Postal Address:
Customer Services
Wiltshire Council
County
Hall
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14
8JN
Last updated: 26 March 2009