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 21st 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 discs, 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 explane 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 21st 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. |
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| A 16 year old girl was run down by a car on Wednesday 10th
December on the Holway Road close to the junction of Cooper Road at around 12.35 - 12.45
pm. Thankfully she was not seriously hurt, but she was in shock and dazed somewhat
and couldn't believe what had just happened. She remembers flying over the bonnet of the
car and landing but not much else. Luckily she was not killed. Hopefully all the
initiatives now being considered will prevent such things happening again. |
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Teen+ Scene
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YOUR interests. |
This issue we have a good old fashioned riddle for you.
It cannot be seen, cannot be felt, cannot be heard, cannot be smelt, it lies behind stars
and under hills, and it fills in empty holes. What is it?
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I am seeking relatives of a WW2 RAF flier who
came from Thornage 1940s. He was Sgt. Charles Lea Foster RAF of 31 Sqdn SAAF based in
Italy. He was killed in a Liberator crash 12-13th Oct 1944 while on a supply dropping
mission to northern Italy. His parents were Col JH Foster & Mrs OT Foster.
There is to be a 60th commemoration ceremony in Sth Africa Sept 2004 to which all
relatives of 31 SAAF crew killed or missing on those nights (inc my father) are invited.
Please contact: Mrs A Storm
3 Orchard Close, Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wilts. SN82RQ. storm04@globalnet.co.uk |
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