Latest news with #OperationSnap
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Wales Online
He only wanted a McDonald's at the drive-thru then police arrived from absolutely everywhere
He only wanted a McDonald's at the drive-thru then police arrived from absolutely everywhere Police had received a number of reports about a Range Rover in the region and then used tips from the public to pounce while the driver was ordering their McDonald's Police arrested the driver of a Range Rover at McDonald's in Flint (Image: North Wales Police) A motorist was trapped by officers at a McDonald's drive-thru following multiple tip-offs from members of the public. North Wales Police received numerous reports from the public regarding a Range Rover in the area. These reports came via the Operation Snap scheme, which allows people to submit dashcam footage and other evidence of potential driving offences. Officers said they had received 12 reports concerning the vehicle. Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here Police then seized their opportunity to act whilst the unsuspecting motorist was placing his McDonald's order at the restaurant and drive-thru in Flint, reports North Wales Live. Read here about how 24 e-bikes and scooters were seized in a few hours in a police op. They cornered him in the drive-thru lane to stop him making any kind of escape. Members of the public who had also headed there for food looked on as the drama unfolded in front of them. The individual was then taken into custody after it emerged he was wanted by police in Scotland. Officers apologised to fast-food customers who were delayed during the operation. The Flintshire North policing team explained: "If you've heard of OP SNAP, it's where you can submit evidence like dashcam to us so we can process offences on the road that we didn't see. "Because of multiple OP SNAP submissions this vehicle was brought to our attention. "The driver was a bit shocked when NPT blocked him in as he was ordering in the drive through. "And even more so when we found out he was wanted in Scotland. "Off to custody, and details now secured for these OP Snap reports. Article continues below "Thanks to our community. "Apologies for all those who were briefly stuck in the queue."
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Wales Online
Police block in wanted Range Rover driver at McDonald's drive-thru in North Wales
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A driver was blocked in by police at a McDonald's drive-thru after tip-offs from the public. North Wales Police received a number of reports from the public about a Range Rover in the region. These came through the Operation Snap campaign where people can submit dashcam and other evidence over potential driving offences. Police said they had received 12 reports in relation to the vehicle. Police then got their chance to swoop while the unsuspecting driver was ordering his McDonald's meal at the restaurant and drive-thru in Flint. They blocked him off in the drive-thru lane and the person was taken to custody after it was found he was wanted by police in Scotland. Police apologised to fast-food fans held up in the swoop. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now The Flintshire North policing team said: "If you've heard of OP SNAP, it's where you can submit evidence like dashcam to us so we can process offences on the road that we didn't see. Because of multiple OP SNAP submissions this vehicle was brought to our attention. "The driver was a bit shocked when NPT blocked him in as he was ordering in the drive through. And even more so when we found out he was wanted in Scotland. "Off to custody, and details now secured for these OP Snap reports. Thanks to our community. "Apologies for all those who were briefly stuck in the queue." Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
North Wales Live
4 days ago
- North Wales Live
Police block in wanted Range Rover driver at McDonald's drive-thru in North Wales
A driver was blocked in by police at a McDonald's drive-thru after tip-offs from the public. North Wales Police received a number of reports from the public about a Range Rover in the region. These came through the Operation Snap campaign where people can submit dashcam and other evidence over potential driving offences. Police said they had received 12 reports in relation to the vehicle. Police then got their chance to swoop while the unsuspecting driver was ordering his McDonald's meal at the restaurant and drive-thru in Flint. They blocked him off in the drive-thru lane and the person was taken to custody after it was found he was wanted by police in Scotland. Police apologised to fast-food fans held up in the swoop. The Flintshire North policing team said: "If you've heard of OP SNAP, it's where you can submit evidence like dashcam to us so we can process offences on the road that we didn't see. Because of multiple OP SNAP submissions this vehicle was brought to our attention. "The driver was a bit shocked when NPT blocked him in as he was ordering in the drive through. And even more so when we found out he was wanted in Scotland.
Auto Express
20-06-2025
- Auto Express
Cyclists blame drivers as UK roads get more dangerous
The number of cyclists submitting footage of poor and sometimes even dangerous driving has sky-rocketed over the past few years, effectively doubling since 2021 – with more than half of those caught now being prosecuted. A Freedom of Information request by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart found that the number of instances of riders submitting video clips to the police of dangerous drivers rose from 7,249 in 2021 to 15,779 in 2024. The figure comes from 20 different police forces across the UK (43 were approached), with the footage collected as part of Operation Snap – an initiative designed to help process evidence of dangerous driving submitted by the public. Advertisement - Article continues below All 20 of the forces that submitted data reported instances of perilously close passes of cyclists by cars – up from 2021, when just 14 forces said they'd received evidence of this. The most common location for this type of manoeuvre was Avon and Somerset, with 3,500 people reporting instances to the police. Such a figure is not surprising when you consider that of 655 people surveyed by IAM RoadSmart, more than half (58 per cent) didn't know that drivers must give cyclists a minimum of 1.5 metres of space when overtaking them. While the number of submissions is rising, it's worth pointing out that the police are beginning to take action, with roughly one in two (54 per cent) of those caught in the act on camera being served a Notice of Intended Prosecution. Driving too close to a cyclist is categorised under Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as 'Careless Driving' and can leave you liable to receiving six penalty points and a fixed fine of £100. Going to court could increase the fine and the number of points issued even further. Spokesperson for IAM RoadSmart, Harriet Hernando, described the current situation as 'extremely concerning', reminding drivers that 'passing too closely to a cyclist can be intimidating and dangerous, especially if they need to move out to avoid a pothole'. Hernando added: 'While it is heartening to see that prosecution rates have increased, it would be better if it didn't reach that stage and motorists weren't doing it in the first place.' Did you know you can sell your car through Auto Express ? We'll help you get a great price and find a great deal on a new car, too .
South Wales Guardian
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- South Wales Guardian
Cyclists send record amount of video to police showing close passes by drivers
Some 15,779 clips of incidents were submitted to forces in England and Wales last year, information obtained by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart found. That is more than double the total of 7,249 in 2021. Many cyclists capture footage of their journeys, with basic cameras available for under £50. IAM RoadSmart sent a Freedom of Information request to 43 police forces asking how many pieces of footage showing a close pass of a cyclist by a motorist were submitted as part of Operation Snap, an initiative introduced in 2017. Twenty forces provided data. The responses show the percentage of reports leading to a notice of intended prosecution being served rose from 38% in 2021 to 54% last year. A separate survey of 655 drivers who are members of IAM RoadSmart indicated that 58% are not aware the Highway Code recommends the minimum gap they should leave when passing cyclists is 1.5 metres (4.9ft). Harriet Hernando, the charity's active travel spokeswoman, said: 'It is extremely concerning that more than half of motorists don't know how much space to give a cyclist when overtaking. 'Passing too closely to a cyclist can be intimidating and dangerous, especially if they need to move out to avoid a pothole. 'It is small wonder then that record numbers of cyclists are installing cameras and submitting footage of dangerous or careless drivers to the police. 'While it is heartening to see that prosecution rates have increased, it would be better if it didn't reach that stage and motorists weren't doing it in the first place.' Provisional Department for Transport figures show 85 cyclists were killed on Britain's roads in 2024. Between 2019 and 2023, most cyclist fatalities occurred in collisions involving a car. IAM RoadSmart has launched a No More Close Calls campaign aimed at eradicating close passes. Ms Hernando said: 'When overtaking a cyclist, always look beyond them to judge your ability to get past safely, leaving at least 1.5 metres of space when overtaking at speeds of up to 30mph and give them more space when overtaking at higher speeds. 'By hanging back two or three car lengths, you'll be able to see further up the road and look out for oncoming traffic. 'If it isn't safe to overtake then don't try and squeeze past – shaving seconds off your journey isn't worth taking someone's life.' Duncan Dollimore, head of campaigns at Cycling UK, said it has 'not seen the big safety impact we'd hoped for' from changes to the Highway Code in 2022 providing more protection to cyclists. He went on: 'The majority of people who drive simply aren't aware how much distance to give to people who cycle when overtaking. 'This is why it's crucial to educate all road users of their responsibility to protect those most vulnerable.' He called on the Government to 'address this oversight by better promoting the new Highway Code'. A Department for Transport spokesperson said: 'We take road safety extremely seriously, and there are already strict penalties in place for those who put the safety of cyclists at risk. 'Our roads are among the safest in the world, but we are always looking to improve.'
