Speeding motorists targeted

Police received reports of speeding on Team Valley

MORE than 200 drivers have been caught breaking the speed limit at the Metrocentre and Team Valley Trading Estate in a single day.

Northumbria Police have revealed the startling figures after they conducted a speeding operation following concerns that shoppers were putting people at risk.

Officers policed the two sites in Gateshead as part of Operation Odeon on Sunday and caught 223 drivers speeding, with two drivers on the wrong side of the road. PC David Gaut, of the Metrocentre Neighbourhood Policing Team, said some of the driving on display was “completely irresponsible”.

He said: “We have had a spike in the number of reports to us of irresponsible driving around the retail estates at the Metrocentre and Team Valley.

“This comes off the back of an increase in shoppers in the area as the lockdown restrictions we have lived through in recent months are relaxed. “Some of the examples of driving we witnessed on Sunday were completely irresponsible and a number of drivers will be appearing in court as a result. “We witnessed drivers travelling at almost double the 30mph limit and two motorists who were driving on the wrong side of the carriageway.” Operation Odeon was a collaboration between neighbourhood officers and volunteers from Northumbria Police Special Constabulary.

The aim of the operation was to reduce collisions and make the road networks safer for the general public. PC Gaut said: “This type of behaviour puts other road users at risk, particularly in areas where there are a number of pedestrians and cyclists. I want to reassure those concerned about irresponsible driving that we will be carrying out Operation Odeon again in the coming weeks. If we see a repeat of the driving... we will have no hesitation in putting people before the courts.”

Some of the examples of driving we witnessed on Sunday were completely irresponsible

PC David Gaunt