Billericay responds to residents' concerns
| Published: 19th August 2008 15:27 |
Police in Billericay have been proactively detecting vehicle crime in the area as part of Operation Airwatch.
Through police beat surgeries and Neighbourhood Action Panel (NAP) meetings, concerns were raised by residents about speeding vehicles in various roads in Billericay. There were also complaints about the amount of drivers using mobile phones whilst driving and other traffic matters.
Billericay Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Gordon Walters decided to organise an operation in response to the community's concerns.
Operation Airwatch was launched in July and ran throughout the month and early August. The operation involved traffic officers from Laindon Road Policing Unit and PCSO's from Billericay.
The areas covered were Grange Road, Southend Road, Radford way, Laiondon Road and Chapel Street.
Throughout the Operation:
- 33 Fixed Penalty Notices were issued to people not wearing seat belts
- 17 were issued to people using mobile phones whilst driving
- One was issued to a person with no MOT.
- A further 15 Fixed Penalty Notices were issued to speeding motorists
- One was issued to a person parking in a controlled area.
The positive results achieved by the operation saw a total of £3,000 in fines and a total of 69 points added to driving licences. Three drivers who had previous traffic offences, who already had points on their licences, are now required to re-take their driving test as a result of the operation.
PCSO Gordon Walters wants residents to know that the police will act on their community concerns. "Carrying out an operation like this shows we do listen and respond to what local residents' complaints and concerns are. We will be planning another operation later in the year."
If you have any concerns about the community you live in, please contact your local neighbourhood specialist officer, or visit http://www.essex.police.uk/yourarea for a list of contact details and beat surgeries in your area.
By Laura Anderson
