Police ask driving instructors for help fighting crime

Police ask driving instructors for help fighting crime

Police in Essex have recruited driving instructors to act as their "eyes and ears" in an effort to cut down on crime

In an effort to catch criminals amid falling police staffing levels, Essex police have recruited local driving instructors act as their “eyes and ears” in areas known for crime.

The Tendring area of Essex will play host to a new trial by the Essex Police called the Neighbourhood Watch on Wheels. Driving instructors who sign up will be given maps of the areas with the worst crime rates and even descriptions of suspects.

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If instructors spot anyone acting suspiciously they can contact the police, and the police will hope to gain evidence against criminals from the dashboard-mounted cameras used by many driving instructors in their cars.

Auto Express previously reported how the number of full-time traffic police operating in England and Wales has been cut by nearly a third since 2010. Officer numbers fell from 5,327 to 3,742 between 2010 and 2015, with 36 of the 42 forces in England and Wales recording fewer staff.

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District commander, Russ Cole, who is behind the driving instructor scheme said: “Driving instructors seemed like an obvious choice – here is a group of professionals who are willing to help.

“While they are doing their three-point turns and manoeuvers, they’ll be keeping an eye out for suspects. We will be working with as many of the instructors as possible, sharing information with them, such as maps of where burglaries are taking place and descriptions of suspects.

“We are asking them to be our eyes and ears and to give us a call if they have any information.”

However, the plans have been met with criticism from some of driving instructors. Carly Brookfield, CEO of the Driving Instructors Association, said: “While we would welcome the opportunity to work with the police to reduce crime this should be in the area of road safety, which is more aligned to the professional skillset and knowledge of a driver trainer, rather than spotting burglaries and assaults.

“Also, as distraction is one of the biggest causes of risk and accidents while driving, I would be very concerned about instructors becoming distracted looking for crimes occurring off the road.”

Should driving instructors be spending their time collecting information for the Police? Let us know your thought in the comments section below...

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