No drivers are prosecuted using public’s dashcam footage

Police received almost 700 videos but none have led to court proceedings

The number of drivers prosecuted after police were sent dash cam footage by members of the public has dropped to zero this year.

Cambridgeshire police allowedresidentstosharedash cam footage with it from late 2018.

This led to 1,220 videos being submitted the following year, with 34 cases sent to court.

Moreover, 261 people ended up completing retraining courses with 75 people also complying with a conditional offer, according to data discovered by the Peterborough

TelegraphthroughaFreedom of Information request.

However, throughthefirst six monthsoftheyearnopeople have appeared in court despite police receiving 686 videos from dash cams.

Instead, 23 retraining courses have been completed, with 27 conditional offers complied with.

The figures for this year are skewed both by the coronavirus pandemic - which saw less vehicles on the road - and because outcomes are only recorded once they have been completed.

A police spokesperson said: “Dashcamfootageplays avaluableroleindetermining if amotoringoffencehasbeen committed.

“Each case is carefully evaluated and, where there is clear evidence that a crime has been committed, every effort is made to bring the offenders to justice.

“The figures for 2020 are incomplete because offences continueto beinvestigated and the outcomes are not yet known.

“It is also worth noting that, due to Covid-19, there were significantly less vehicles on the road for part of 2020andthiswillhaveabearing on the figures.”

Mark Turner is chief executive of the Road Victims Trust which provides emotional and practical support to people affected by a fatal or life changing injury across the counties of Cambridgeshire, BedfordshireandHertfordshire.

He said: “The statistics presented represent only a six month period and many cases have yet to come conclusion, therefore any inference cannot be drawn.

“I very much support the ability of the public to act as additional support and eyes for the police in order to tackle dangerous and antisocial driving.

Mr Turner added: “Of course, it cannot replace the hugely important role of the roads policing officerwhowe are proud to workinpartnership with.

“Theeffects of a fatal collision are absolutely devastating to the bereaved families and friends.”

Dash cam footage can be submitted to police by visiting: https://www.cambs.police.uk/report/Vehicles.