Thousands of bad drivers in West Midlands 'shopped' by fellow motorists' dashcam footage

Thousands of bad drivers are being identified by fellow West Midlands motorists who have been submitting their dashcam footage of illegal activity. Operation Snap calls for anyone who has images or footage of road users breaking the law to send them to West Midlands Police at its online portal.

Clips show drivers using mobile phones, jumping red lights, driving too close to cyclists and cutting up their fellow road users – with all set to receive action. Some 13,524 clips have been uploaded in 2024, almost double the 7,145 clips sent in 2023.

In October alone some 1,645 clips have been sent into officers to review, ‘by far the largest number of monthly submissions’. And more than 80 per cent of all clips sent in result in a ‘positive outcome’.

Read more: Flashing incident prompts CCTV appeal to find man in ripped denim shorts

Those motorists are issued with warning letters, awareness courses, fines or in some cases, even ordered to attend court. West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, was ‘pleased’ with the results, which come a week after the launch of the Record, Report, Result campaign urging people to send in their footage of careless and dangerous driving in the region.

Mr Foster said: “I was impressed by the commitment, dedication and hard work of the Op Snap team. I was able to convey to them just how valued their work is and this is reflected by the increasing level of submissions received and the positive feedback from members of the public.

“I was also able to discuss with the team the launch of my new campaign: Record. Report. Result. that is aimed at increasing awareness of Op Snap and the action members of the public can take, in partnership with West Midlands Police, to make our roads safer.

“I want the credit the essential work that is being undertaken to tackle dangerous and reckless driving, to keep our roads safe and reduce the number of people tragically and avoidably killed and seriously injured on our roads.”

The number of clips sent in has risen sharply from 207 in 2017 to more than 13,534 in 2024 and counting. Tanya Johnson, who oversees the Op Snap team at West Midlands Police, said: “Op Snap is going from strength to strength in the West Midlands, with record numbers of submissions and fantastic feedback from the public.

“Not only did we have a record high number of submissions last month, but we were able to take positive action in 82 per cent of cases. We know how frustrating it can be to see people driving in ways that puts other road users at risk and Op Snap is a powerful response to that.

“We’ve seen some criticism that we are asking drivers to do our job for us. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are asking people to help us reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads.

“Our Roads Policing Unit officers work 24/7 to take criminals off the roads, with targeted operations focusing in people who drive without insurance, as well as those who take part in street racing and those involved in theft of vehicles.

“But we can’t be everywhere all at the same time. The response to our work has been overwhelmingly positive and it’s great that so many people are recognising that they can play their own part in making the roads safer.”