A local police initiative to tackle bad drivers in Camden has prompted calls for a London-wide roll-out.
Plain clothes police on bikes reported eight driving offences in six hours, with more than 50 drivers stopped about their behaviour.
Sian Berry AM
The scheme was labelled a success by a London Green Party AM, who highlighted its importance in stopping 'close passes' - drivers passing cyclists closer than the safe distance of 1.5 metres.
The police reported:
- 1 person processed for Driving Without Due Care (close pass)
- 4 drivers have been pulled over and spoken to for close passes
- 4 people have been processed for red light/mobile phone related offences
- 3 people reported for fail to stop for police
- 50+ drivers and cyclists spoken to about general driving standards
Former London mayoral candidate, Sian Berry AM, said: 'In just six hours, dozens of people have learned a valuable lesson from this small team of officers in Camden. Close passes are highly dangerous and terrifying for people on bikes. More drivers have to learn they should not overtake until they can leave a safe distance between us and their vehicle.
'Officers in Camden have led the way with this pilot and the mayor should make sure all boroughs are able to have dedicated teams of police for this work.
'I am very disappointed that number of officers doing road crime work has been static despite danger for vulnerable people on the streets increasing in recent years and I’ll also be calling for a boost in these units within the Met in my response to the draft Police and Crime Plan.'
The pilot was started by Camden borough officers in October, inspired by similar work in the West Midlands.
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