"Operation Streetwise" - Tackling Antisocial Driving

North Norfolk District Council officers joined the Police and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in an operation to study and tackle some of the problems caused by so-called "boy racers" on the streets of Sheringham and Cromer, and the routes in between.

Operation Streetwise, carried out on Friday 21 November, was devised by the Vehicle Crime Reduction Group of the North Norfolk Crime Reduction Partnership (which includes NNDC and Norfolk Constabulary), in response to concerns raised by local people and Councillors about the way cars were being driven around the towns, and the noise from car stereos.

During the day, the DVLA and police used an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system to check for offences such as expired tax disks, and to gather intelligence that may inform future operations.

In the evening, an unmarked police car carrying police and NNDC environmental health officers, with a camera and ANPR gear, patrolled the towns on the lookout for antisocial driving - particularly in and around Sheringham's Station Road car park. They stopped a number of cars that were being driven in an antisocial way (for example by performing wheel spins) or that had music playing loudly. A mobile police unit staffed by police and NNDC officers was also stationed in the middle of Sheringham.

No arrests were made, but warnings were given to a number of people (many of whom were young women) who, if stopped for the same reason in future, may be given on-the-spot fines. Importantly, the officers also took the time to explain the consequences of that behaviour - its effects on the local community, the legal penalties for antisocial behaviour, NNDC's power to seize stereo gear if it causes a nuisance, and the risk of permanent hearing loss caused by loud music.

Teri Munro, NNDC's Community Safety Officer, was part of Operation Streetwise. She said: "We had been told that people were driving antisocially in the towns, for instance by driving circuits, but we didn't have a lot of hard evidence. On 21 November, we were able to gather firm proof that it happens. Now we need to look at how to deal with the problem. Of course, it isn't possible to commit that many officers on a regular basis, so talking to the drivers is a crucial first step.

"For the most part, this is not criminal behaviour and there is plenty of scope to tackle the problem through education and discussion. That said, we have powers to stop antisocial behaviour and will use them. To that end, people who are suffering this kind of nuisance can help the partnership immensely by giving us any information they can, whether it be a log of the times the nuisance occurs, or things that can help in identifying culprits, like car number plates.

"And if anyone has ideas about how we can overcome the problem, the partnership would welcome them."

Anyone with information about instances of antisocial driving, or suggestions about how to tackle it, can contact Teri Munro at NNDC on 01263 516278.

The partnership intends to run similar operations in future, in Sheringham and other areas around North Norfolk.

ENDS