15 per cent drop in serious crashes as hundreds of vehicles seized in West Midlands
West Midlands Police recorded a 15 per cent drop in the number of serious road traffic collisions in the past year - but chiefs are pledging to drive down the numbers even more.
The force said the number of collisions had fallen compared to the same period last year as a result of a combination of enforcement actions along with efforts to educate drivers, reduce collisions and improve road safety.
It said roadside stops, mobile speed cameras and tip-offs were among the strategies being used.
In addition in the last month officers seized more than 700 vehicles for having no insurance which is equal to around 25 vehicles being taken off the roads every single day by its 24/7 Interceptors, road crime, and road harm prevention teams.
Among their duties, the teams tackle speeding, driving under the influence, mobile phone use, lack of seatbelt, car key burglaries and organised crime using a mix of high-performance, unmarked vehicles and distinctive Interceptor cars to catch offenders swiftly.
Recent successes include:
A stolen Toyota, taken using keyless methods, was quickly recovered and returned to its owner.
After a burglary involving a stolen Mini, officers detained two suspects and found the car key in one of their pockets. The Mini was located and returned.
A cloned BMW 540 failed to stop on the M5, drove dangerously, and even went the wrong way down Queslett Road. After a pursuit and foot chase, all four occupants were arrested. The car had been stolen during a burglary in Walsall.
In Coventry, the Road Crime Team spotted a cloned car linked to a man who had been on the run from prison for nearly three years. After a pursuit, he was arrested with a knife in his waistband, a machete, £3,000 in cash, and a large quantity of Class A drugs.
Superintendent Jack Hadley, head of the West Midlands Police Roads Policing Unit, said: “Every time we stop a dangerous driver or recover a stolen vehicle, we know we’re doing more than enforcing the law, we’re also protecting lives.
“Behind every incident is a person, a family, a community. That’s why our teams are out there 24/7, working with urgency and care.
“We’re tackling serious crime, preventing harm, and making sure people feel safe on the roads they use every day. Whether it’s a stolen vehicle linked to a burglary or a reckless driver putting others at risk, we act quickly and decisively.
“But we know we can’t do it alone. We need drivers to take responsibility, to think twice, and to understand that one poor decision behind the wheel can change lives forever.
“Together, through enforcement, education, and partnership, we can build safer roads and stronger communities.”
The force has committed to achieving "Vision Zero" - working with councils and other partners to halve the number of deaths and serious injuries on the region's roads by 2030, and reduce them to zero by 2040.
If you witness careless or dangerous driving, you can send your footage to police via Operation Snap for officers to review.
Learn more and submit footage at https://www.westmidlands.police.uk/police-forces/west-midlands-police/areas/campaigns/campaigns/operation-snap/.
