In advance of a meeting with Hampshire Constabulary representatives later this month, Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely is inviting Islanders to get in touch with him to share their views and concerns about crime and policing on the Island, particularly in relation to offences on the Island’s roads.
Mr Seely has been leading on a campaign to see a dedicated Isle of Wight Roads Policing Unit (RPU) reinstated on the Island. So far, his campaign has gained support from the Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, the Isle of Wight Coroner and some town and parish councils.
Bob has said:
“Islanders regularly tell me they are concerned about speeding, dangerous driving and illegal exhausts on the Island’s roads. More needs to be done to tackle this.
“Currently, our Roads Policing Unit is rolled in with the armed response team, so their time is often spent on other priorities. Now that our policing levels are increasing on the Island, I want to see a dedicated Roads Policing Unit here on the Island.
“I am meeting with representatives from Hampshire Constabulary later this month to raise Islanders’ concerns. I have invited all town and parish councillors to submit their concerns and priorities to me in advance of this meeting, but I would also be pleased to hear directly from Island residents as well.
“The more views I can gather from Islanders the better. I want as many people as possible to get behind the campaign for an Isle of Wight Roads Policing Unit.
Article continues below this advertisement “If there are issues in your area you are concerned about, please let me know about them and I will happily raise them on your behalf. In addition, if there are any broader concerns relating to crime and policing on the Isle of Wight please do also let me know about those too.”
Islanders can forward their concerns to [email protected].
If Seldom would attend to his mailbox or read the papers he would already know perfectly well what Island residents think.
“Currently, our Roads Policing Unit is rolled in with the armed response team…”
“Team” is overstating it a little – the last I heard it was just one officer who also happens to be the dog unit.
If he’s also the roads policing unit it’s not surprising his priorities are split.
Only on the island…!
Is this similar to Rees Mogg asking for help with his Brexit Opportunities job?
Give the Police the manpower and a dedicated traffic unit, simples ! Our roads are awash with so many violations of the law, that it would be self financing by fines. Beside mobile phone use, there is illegal tailgating, speeding, car theft, drink and drug driving, no MOT, Insurance or Driving licence.Most frequent is the use of illegal number plates, mis-spaced number plates are rife, illegal fonts, and most sinister of all anti- camera coated plates. The law is in place to allow ANPR and speed cameras to identify vehicles. Those wishing to defeat the system are committing a serious offence and need to be dealt with severely – speed kills.
Add on to that list ignoring traffic lights, commercial vehicles parking on double yellow lines and obstructing the roads, cyclists have taken over the pavements as well as illegal escooters, which Halfords are still happily selling, and the list goes on.
The standard of driving on the Island is abysmal and not confined to any one age group.
This is the 21st century, there are women in the Police service now!
Any Road Traffic Police Officer will tell you that looking into minor infractions will often lead to the discovery of much more serious offences. Try looking at the Police Reality shows on TV such as Road Wars, Police Interceptors etc.
So true. The very noisy motorbikes speeding around our village, every evening for the past couple of years, disturbing everyone are youths drug running. We residents have repeatedly reported this, yet nothing has been done, the youths have not even been challenged by the Police, who seem disinterested.
Apparently the Police regard drug running as petty crime and low priority – well not to us is it petty, especially those trying to bring up children to be decent citizens and to keep clear of drugs.
We have been totally let down by the authorities and left vulnerable to the criminals operating in our neighborhood.
Investigating any offence , however minor, usually leads to more serious offences being detected.
Irresponsible people who flout the law do so at many levels .
Law abiding citizens do not flout the law.
Honest citizens need support from the legal system. Lives are blighted by yobs and criminals. It is WRONG at every level.
Catch the lawbreakers early and they may rethink their lifestyle .
I couldn’t agree more, the island would definitely benefit from a dedicated roads policing unit. I just hope that those targeted would include those elderly drivers who, although do not break the speed limit, are just as dangerous with their erratic manoeuvring and excessively slow driving.
Sort out the traffic problem at McDonald’s Ryde
I am surprised there as not been an accident.
The traffic tails back past Cothey Way due to vehicles waiting to enter the
Drive-thru
Many vehicles drive on the incorrect side of the Road due to this.
“Very Dangerous” for other motorists.
Also Stop vehicles turning in to the NO right turn into West Street off Brading High Street
How many times have you driven on a mainland motorway and even saw a police vehicle. Even in the days of ‘area cars’ on the Island, which was usually double crewed there where 3 cars covering the whole Island 24/7.as well as open police stations. The officers capable of dealing with anything. most had were qualified traffic patrol officers also well versed in criminal law some qualified as accident investigators. Authorised firearms users. The main cut backs on the Island began when Parkhurst was down graded. The sticking plaster approach which has been implemented is not working. Give the residents the service they require.