By Eric White
Article credit: www.policeprofessional.com/news
ESSEX Police has had the largest increase in full time roads policing officers in the country in the past two years.
While nearly 75 percent of forces recorded a drop in roads policing numbers between 2014 and 2015, Essex was one of only 12 to have an increase in numbers (72), according to new data.
The latest RAC Report on Motoring found that 62 per cent of motorists believe there are not enough officers on the roads to enforce existing traffic laws.
In terms of increases, Essex Police was followed by Devon and Cornwall Police at 31 and Cheshire Constabulary at 30.
The number of detected motoring offences more than halved between 2004 and 2013, from 4.3 million to 1.62 million.
But offences resulting in death saw no change, suggesting that the number of crimes committed on the roads has not changed.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has stated its commitment to tackling the so-called ‘Fatal Four’ causes of serious accidents – inappropriate and excessive speed, driving under the influence of drink and drugs, not wearing a seatbelt and driving while distracted.
However, RAC head of external affairs Pete Williams said: "“We are acutely aware that the police are doing their best to manage challenging budgets and scant resource.
“However the sustained reduction in roads policing officers is at odds with the consistent number of serious motoring offences being committed, and the concerns already being expressed by motorists around the lack of visible police presence on our roads.
“The RAC believes the motoring public deserves honesty from the Government around whether there are enough resources in place to apply the law and cut down on illegal driving behaviour, some of which undoubtedly puts innocent lives at risk.”
