On the Beat: “Anti-social driving is a community concern we are tackling”

by Inspector Lee Kerslake

Inspector Lee Kerslake (Photo: Avon & Somerset Police)

“Policing in Weston covers a huge range of issues, but at its simplest we generally deal with two types of demand: individual calls and community concerns.

Some matters are an immediate priority for an individual. They contact us about a specific incident and want action there and then. Then there are issues that the wider community want us to address; the classic question of, "What are the police doing about X?"

This month, we wanted to discuss one of those community concerns: anti-social driving.

We receive a lot of contact about cars and motorbikes causing problems in our communities. We hear concerns about privately organised car meets, deal with traffic collisions, and see first-hand the consequences when drivers lose control of their vehicles. In short, cars and motorcycles can have a significant impact on the day-to-day quality of life of local residents.

I know many people who are passionate about cars and bikes, whether that's modified vehicles, classics or high-spec models that make you look twice. There is something about motoring that brings people together, and we are not in the business of stopping people from enjoying their hobbies. But these are powerful, noisy and potentially dangerous machines and, as any MCU fan will know, with great power comes great responsibility. Unfortunately, we see people ignoring that responsibility almost every day, with a real impact on others.

Take Weston Seafront. Some treat it as a pseudo-racetrack or an exhibition strip for testing just how loud their exhaust can be. But it is also home to hotels, businesses, residents and retirement complexes. The impact this behaviour can have on local people is significant, while businesses can also suffer from the disruption it causes. These are just some of the reasons why we take action against those who cause harm to the community.

And despite what some social media discussions might suggest, we do take action. In the last couple of weeks alone, we have seized a vehicle for repeated anti-social driving. A very nice BMW, as it happened. We also seized a sporty motorcycle near the seafront for similar behaviour.

Now for a bit of the legal detail. A recent change to Section 59 of the Police Reform Act means we no longer have to issue a warning before seizing a vehicle. If a vehicle is being driven carelessly or inconsiderately, or in a way that causes, or is likely to cause, alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public, we can now seize it immediately.

We always try to take a balanced and fair approach. However, the growing impact anti-social driving is having on local communities means there will be occasions when these powers are used without warning.

You could expect that if:

• We receive multiple complaints about a vehicle or driver through public reports, officer observations or CCTV.

• A vehicle attending a car meet is driven in an anti-social manner.

That second point is worth exploring further.

Car meets in Weston, Cheddar and other local areas are often well attended, and we know that the vast majority of those attending do so without causing any problems. However, these events create a policing dilemma and generate a large number of complaints from local residents.

Large, organised events normally go through a range of processes designed to keep participants and the public safe. Event organisers are expected to consider risks, put safety measures in place and comply with relevant legislation. Some may see the absence of those processes as a way of avoiding red tape, but it also means important risks have not been properly considered or managed.

When that lack of oversight is combined with a minority of drivers carrying out dangerous manoeuvres and causing significant disturbance to local residents, the risks become much greater.

That is why we will take a firmer approach to anti-social driving at these gatherings. We will enforce the law proactively at these events across North Somerset and, where appropriate, we will seize vehicles.

The impact on local communities is simply too great for us to tolerate. Whether that is viewed as fair or not, we have seen the consequences when things go wrong, including serious injuries. Nobody sets out expecting to be involved in a collision, but we regularly deal with the aftermath when they are. The justifications we sometimes hear simply do not stand up against that reality.

So the message from us is simple: enjoy motoring and enjoy the fantastic sights and experiences Weston has to offer. But please respect local residents, businesses and visitors, and do so responsibly.”