A new Cumbrian road policing unit has arrested over 370 people for traffic offences in its first year.
Cumbria police’s Roads Policing Unit launched in October 2023 and has since made 378 arrests – 273 of which were drink or drug-driving related.
Officers have also issued more than 1,000 traffic offence reports, investigated 449 collisions and attended over 3,000 emergency incidents.
Included in the unit’s 1,063 traffic offence reports are 228 speeding offences, 190 mobile phone or distracted driving offences and 111 offences for no insurance.
Officers have also conducted 330 stop and searches of people and vehicles.
Inspector Jack Stabler, who leads the new unit, said: “When we launched the unit 12 months ago the vision was for our officers to take the lead on making our county’s roads safer through targeted enforcement.
“I’m pleased to be able to report this is taking place and drivers who put their own lives and the lives of all other road users at risk are being stopped and, often, taken off the road.
“The unit is committed to continuing to work with our partners on the county’s Road Safety Partnership to make Cumbria’s roads even safer as we seek to drive down the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.”
Currently, the new unit’s officers are engaged in Operation Dark Night – a National Police Chiefs’ Council operation focusing on the safety of pedestrians and horse riders as nights get darker.
Officers will be talking to pedestrians and horse riders about increasing their own safety and visibility while reminding drivers to take particular care at this time of year.
Inspector Stabler said: “As we prepare to turn the clocks back, I urge all road users to be particularly careful. The darker nights can come on quickly and not everyone is as well prepared for the change as they could be.
“I ask that drivers pay particular attention whilst other road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, take a moment to consider their own visibility whilst out and about. Some reflective material about your clothing at night can make all the difference.”
Friday, October 25, was the first day of Operation Dark Night and saw six arrests – two for drivers over the limit and one for being unfit to drive through drink or drugs, two for possession of a controlled substance – one of whom also had a knife in their vehicle – and one for being drunk an disorderly.
Officers also carried out 15 stop and searches, stopped more than 30 vehicles and issues 10 traffic offence reports.
Partners were also busy with Cumbria Fire and Rescue engaging with the public including using virtual reality headsets, whilst the DVSA inspected vehicles for defects.
Police mounted volunteers were also out over the weekend promoting safer road use.
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen, said: “Keeping Cumbria’s roads safe is a priority. The Roads Policing Unit have done a brilliant job at reducing road incidents over the last year and arresting those who are breaking the law.
“Road Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Driving dangerously not only places the life of the driver at risk but the lives of innocent passengers and other road users – drive within the laws and to the conditions of our roads.
“If you do break the law behind the wheel – you will be caught and you will face the consequences of your actions.”
The work of Cumbria’s new road policing unit was recognised nationally earlier this month when Insp Stabler received the Innovation and Excellence award at the UK Road Offender Education (UKROEd) Awards.
Cumbria’s use of innovative and advanced technologies was evidenced at the 2024 Appleby Horse Fair where AI cameras were deployed on roads.
The cameras, on the A66 and M6, detected over 600 offences of mobile phone use while driving and more than 750 seatbelt offences.
During Appleby Horse Fair, the unit was responsible for 40 arrests, 24 vehicle seizures and 203 traffic offence reports.
