Latest news with #OperationWheeler
South Wales Argus
6 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Drag racing driver caught on Newport dual carriageway
Phillip Melville, 40, was banned from driving after officers obtained evidence of him breaking the law on the A48 on Celtic Way in Newport. The incident took place on Sunday, October 20 last year, Cwmbran Magistrates' Court was told. Melville, of Poplars Close, Mardy, Abergavenny pleaded guilty to taking part in a race/speed trial between motor vehicles on a public way. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months. (Image: Phillip Melville, 40, was banned from driving after being caught on the A48 on Celtic Way in Newport) The defendant must pay £896 in a fine, costs and a surcharge. PC Elliot Morgan, the officer in the case, said: 'Our roads are not racetracks and there are so many potential risks when people decide to drive as recklessly as this. 'We're taking action, through Operation Wheeler, to target irresponsible motorists who participate many different types of anti-social driving, including street racing or illegal car meets, on our streets and bringing them before the courts. 'Dangerous driving isn't worth the risk; it can cost you your licence, your freedom, your livelihood and even your life.'
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Drag racer banned for a year after reckless A48 driving
Footage of the reckless race helped secure a conviction. The driver pleaded guilty and was handed a 12-month disqualification, a £576 fine, £90 in court costs, and a £230 victim surcharge. Gwent Police on Facebook warned: "One race. One reckless decision. One year off the road. A driver who was filmed drag racing on the A48 has been prosecuted as part of #OperationWheeler. They pleaded guilty and have received: 🔹 a 12-month driving disqualification 🔹 a £576 fine 🔹 £90 in court costs 🔹 a £230 victim surcharge. Our officers use a wide range of tactics and evidence-gathering tools to identify and prosecute dangerous drivers, and this is just one example of how they're working hard to keep our roads safe. Dangerous driving isn't worth the risk. It can cost you your licence, your freedom, and even your life. To report dangerous or anti-social driving, street racing, or illegal car meets, call 101 or send us a direct message. Always dial 999 in an emergency".
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Drag racer banned from driving after reckless stunt
A driver caught drag racing on the A48 has been banned from driving for a year following a prosecution under Operation Wheeler, Gwent Police's ongoing effort to tackle dangerous and anti-social driving. Footage of the reckless race helped secure a conviction. The driver pleaded guilty and was handed a 12-month disqualification, a £576 fine, £90 in court costs, and a £230 victim surcharge. Gwent Police on Facebook warned: "One race. One reckless decision. One year off the road. A driver who was filmed drag racing on the A48 has been prosecuted as part of #OperationWheeler. They pleaded guilty and have received: 🔹 a 12-month driving disqualification 🔹 a £576 fine 🔹 £90 in court costs 🔹 a £230 victim surcharge. Our officers use a wide range of tactics and evidence-gathering tools to identify and prosecute dangerous drivers, and this is just one example of how they're working hard to keep our roads safe. Dangerous driving isn't worth the risk. It can cost you your licence, your freedom, and even your life. To report dangerous or anti-social driving, street racing, or illegal car meets, call 101 or send us a direct message. Always dial 999 in an emergency".
South Wales Argus
17-07-2025
- South Wales Argus
Gwent Police warn against illegal car meets with prosecution
As part of Operation Wheeler, fines, disqualifications and suspended prison sentences have been given to those who have engaged in street racing, careless driving and dangerous driving. The scheme is 'putting the breaks on illegal car meets and dangerous driving.' A spokesperson for Gwent Police said: 'Operational Wheeler is not against car meets. It is, however, against the illegal activities associated with them, such as street racing, careless driving and dangerous driving. 'All of which we have observed on Gwent's roads. If you attend illegal car meets, we will prosecute you and if you arrange illegal car meets, we will prosecute you. 'We have a wide range of tactics available to us as well as other evidence gathering opportunities which we will ensure we utilise to bring you to justice. 'Operational Wheeler has already seen successful prosecutions. These have been fines, disqualifications and suspended prison sentences. 'If you are prosecuted as a result of Operation Wheeler, it can have a detrimental effect on your employment and home life. It is not worth the risk.'
South Wales Argus
02-05-2025
- South Wales Argus
WATCH: Police issue terrifying footage of South Wales car meets
Gwent Police's Operation Wheeler, led by the Roads Policing and Specialist Operations (RPSO) team, is aiming to highlight the dangers and deter people from organising and attending illegal events. The initiative has already resulted in multiple arrests and convictions. Footage released of illegal car meets in Newport (Image: Gwent Police) Between January 2020 and January 2025, 382 illegal car meets were reported, with 144 of these taking place last year. The operation, which began in July 2024, has already seen significant results. One person has been convicted of causing serious injury by dangerous driving following a collision at a car meet, and another is under investigation for dangerous driving after a collision in Newport. Other offences include fraudulently obtaining an insurance policy by failing to disclose modifications, and failing to identify drivers of vehicles that were driving dangerously. Three people have been arrested for causing public nuisance and aiding and abetting dangerous driving or motor racing, and all have been issued with a community protection warning relating to organising car meets. Four people have been arrested for dangerous driving, three of whom have been charged, while one remains under investigation. Four further community protection warnings have been issued relating to organising car meets. Eight insurance policies have been cancelled, eight vehicles seized, and 10 people charged to court for motor racing on public roads. Thirty Section 59 warnings, which are issued when vehicles are found to have been used to cause distress, alarm or annoyance, or used in an anti-social manner, have been issued. Thirty Traffic Offence Reports have been issued for Construction and Use offences, which concern the condition a vehicle is kept in or something that has been done to a vehicle which makes it unsafe. Forty-one Section 172 requests (Requirement to Provide Driver Details) have been issued, 16 of which failed to reply and have been summoned to court for failing to identify a driver. The team has also issued 52 Operation Wheeler warning letters, directed towards both organisers and attendees of these events. The letters outline the serious risks associated with street racing and dangerous driving and emphasise the potential consequences of engaging in such activities. Sergeant Mitchell Harris, who is the force lead for this operation, said: "Operation Wheeler is about tackling the dangers that can come from illegal car meets and street racing, from the impact on other road users to noise pollution and the links to other criminal activities they can have. "Illegal car meets are not just a nuisance; they pose serious risks to public safety and community wellbeing. "Our goal is simple – we want to put the brakes on illegal car meets, street racing, and anti-social and dangerous driving and we're working proactively with our partners to achieve this. "If you have any information about illegal car meets, report it. "By working together, we can help keep the roads of Gwent safe for everyone." Car meets and street racing can attract hundreds of people and vehicles at a time, and there has been an increase in reports of illegal car meets over the last five years across Gwent. Those attending park their vehicles in dangerous places and cause obstructions in the road to enable drag strip style racing to take place - with spectators lining the roads either side. Racing on the public highway and dangerous driving has been the cause of many serious and fatal road traffic collisions across the UK, and police say they will use all appropriate legal powers available to prevent the occurring. Officers are working closely with other local agencies, including councils on the initiative. To report illegal car meets and street racing, or anti-social and dangerous driving, call 101 or send police a direct message on Facebook or X. .
