Police have made a complete U-Turn and say they will now investigate an incident caught on dashcam showing a vehicle nearly rolling on the outskirts of Newport.
Footage captured by Newport resident Jamie Bundell on her car dashcam – as first shown on Island Echo – documents how a blue Citroen Saxo overtook Ms Bundell at over 60mph, narrowing avoiding an oncoming Southern Vectis bus. Moments later the vehicle veered around a right hand bend before loosing control and almost rolling sideways down the road.
The shocking standard of careless driving at best caused outrage among local residents, but Hampshire Constabulary said they would not be investigating the incident despite being captured clear as day on camera.
In a letter to Ms Bundell, a spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said:
“Police enquiries have now been completed and having regard to all the circumstances of the incident and the evidence available, it has been decided that no further Police action will be taken.
“Under our current policy, Hampshire Constabulary will not be investigating incidents of this nature unless there is a significant ongoing threat to public safety, or if the vehicle is a known repeat offender for traffic offences”.
With national newspapers running the story and pressure mounting, Police have now said they will in fact investigate the incident further.
A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary has today said:
“Video footage has now been provided to and reviewed by the collision assessment team, and a decision has been taken for roads policing officers to investigate this matter further.
“We would like to thank the member of the public who contacted us about this incident and will update them on the current status of the investigation in due course.”
