This approach obviously requires the support of the police , who need to be able to accept and act on footage , so if that ’ s not you , consider approaching your local force and asking them what their plans are .
We would encourage innovators to explore the potential for using this kind of footage . If it ’ s being collected and being sent in by road users who expect something will be done with it , there is actually a risk associated with not showing the public that we take the offending it shows seriously .
Being overwhelmed with footage is a concern for some forces , understandably . But we would argue that :
• it ’ s coming anyway , so we need to be prepared .
• preparation and standard responses can save a lot of time ,
• issuing guidance on what makes ‘ good ’ ( usable ) footage saves time down the line ,
• consider linking to other sources of footage ( other than the public ) such as Highways England Traffic Officers , local fleets , or other public service vehicles . This might be a good place to start if you are setting up a scheme , as it would limit the potential submitters to a number you could manageably pilot your new systems and processes on . Their drivers could even be offered training in identifying and submitting usable footage , giving you good publicity material for a full launch to your general public .
This is a relatively new approach to roads policing so :
• make sure you communications and advertising focus on the number of willing helpers the police have out there , not how widespread offending is ,
• work with local media to combat the inevitable “ doing the police ’ s job ”/” spies everywhere ” angle before it takes root ,
• think of every contact as an opportunity to increase police legitimacy and generate future compliance ( see p59 ).
The messages that should be communicated about third party reporting centre on the idea that the need for such schemes is evidence that the public endorses roads policing objectives . There is no ‘ war on the motorist ’ as some tabloids have tried to convince their readership in recent years , but ( if there is a ‘ war ’) it is - to refer once more to the social norms influence - one of the majority of sensible road using public , alongside the police , against the minority of irresponsible and dangerous road users . As such , Operation Snap ( see case study of page 130 ) and similar innovations are an opportunity to show dangerous motorists that they are outnumbered .
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