Police use bus CCTV in anti-social biker crackdown

POLICE in Southampton are to use CCTV on buses to help them to catch nuisance bikers.

Under Operation Torque, Hampshire Police’s crackdown on anti-social two-wheeler use, officers will have access to CCTV aboard Bluestar and First Bus vehicles travelling along Shirley High Street and through areas including Millbrook, Coxford, Lordshill and Redbridge.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, PC Simon Peacock, who founded the operation in 2016, said: “Since January 2016, we have secured 31 convictions relating to motorcycle nuisance in the area.

“We want to make an even bigger impact this year by working in partnership with FirstBus and Bluestar Buses.

“These companies have allowed us to utilise their camera equipment to capture evidence of people riding these motorcycles recklessly on their routes through Shirley.”

While police have previously used bus CCTV sporadically, this new partnership will allow them to speed up the process of obtaining images as part of their investigations, which they hope will improve their coverage in these areas.

“In 2018, we plan to target locations and prolific offenders to secure more convictions,” added PC Peacock.

“We rely on the community to provide us with information on riders they see on paths, in green spaces and on roads, often riding dangerously putting not only road users but also pedestrians at risk of serious injury.”