N. Wales police boss to launch new drug-driving crackdown
PCC ALSO RAMPING UP ACTION ON CHILD ABUSE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
A POLICE boss plans to increase the number of drug-driving tests, in a campaign to improve road safety and save lives.
The crackdown is part of new strategy by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin who is also ramping up the fight against child abuse, domestic violence and cybercrime, whilst putting more bobbies on the beat – including 10 new Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).
He will reveal his plan to the North Wales Police and Crime Panel on Monday, when he will ask them to back an increase of just under 22p a week in the cost of policing the region
The proposed 3.68% increase would cost Band D householders an extra £11.25 a year.
According to Mr Dunbobbin, he is honouring the pledges he made in his manifesto during the campaign that led to him being elected last May and “bringing to life” his first Police and Crime plan which sets out the blueprint for policing North Wales.
Among the key proposals is a concerted drive to improve road safety which will see three extra staff supporting the Roads Policing Unit and increase use of roadside drug testing kits due to the increase in drug-related driving.
An additional 10 officers and support staff will help perpetrators of domestic abuse to change their behaviour and reduce re-offending, as well as bringing offenders to justice and safeguarding victims.
The Economic Crime Unit will be bolstered by three more officers and two modern day apprentices to tackle the rising tide of cybercrime, including online fraud.
An extra 10 PCSOs will also be recruited to help reassure elderly and vulnerable people in North Wales.
That is over and above the 20 new PCSOs being paid for with funding from the Welsh Government.
Mr Dunbobbin said: “The plan I am putting before the North Wales Police and Crime Panel provides the right balance between financial prudence and delivering on the manifesto that was voted for by the electorate.
“My first and overwhelming priority is protecting the public of North Wales and keeping people safe and this is the principle that underpins the proposal to increase the precept by 22p a week.
“For example, too many people are dying or being seriously injured on our roads.
“Tackling road safety needs education and awareness raising for all road users, as but I will also ensure that appropriate enforcement is supported so that those that cause the most danger on our roads understand that it will not be tolerated.
“Part of the campaign will involve the increased use of roadside drug testing kits in a major push to reduce the number of people driving under the influence of drugs.
“Criminals and organised crime groups involved in the County Lines drugs trade and modern day slavery use the road network to go about their business, so I will also target those doing so to deny them use of the roads and prevent exploitation of vulnerable people and harm in our communities.
“At the same time I will work with the Chief Constable to increase the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition which is an effective tool in tackling serious and organised crime.
“The campaign to tackle domestic abuse is being strengthened with three additional officers and support staff to work with perpetrators so we can reduce reoffending.
“Men need to be aware of their behaviour and the impact that has on women.”
MORE than 500 people were caught at the wheel while under the influence of drink or drugs during a campaign run by Wales’ four police forces at Christmas.
The force with the most arrests was North Wales.
The annual anti-drink and drug-driving campaign, which ran from December 1 to January 1 saw 299 arrests for drinkdriving, and 202 for drug-driving.
Almost 100 of those arrests – 85 drink-drive and 14 drug-drive – came following road traffic collisions.
Dyfed-Powys
Police Superintendent Clark Jones-John said: “The fact that drink or drugs were a factor in almost 100 collisions in Wales in just one month is very worrying and, frankly, unacceptable. “We run these campaigns to try and raise awareness of the seriousness of driving under the influence, so it is disappointing that so many people have been caught and will lose their driving licence.
“For some it will be more serious and they will lose their employment. “Anyone who is considering driving whilst under the influence should know that we will be out and about waiting for them. Dyfed-Powys Police arrested 66 drink-drivers and 33 drugdrivers; Gwent Police arrested 51 drink-drivers and 49 drug-drivers; North Wales Police arrested 115 drink-drivers and 72 drug-drivers and South Wales Police arrested 67 drink-drivers and 48 drugdrivers.