Police, Camera, Action

Operation Snap allows the police to use dash cam footage from road users to log potential offences. We see how it could revolutionise the way road policing is handled across the UK.

- Martin Saarinen

WITH strapped budgets and falling staff levels over recent years, police forces across the UK have appealed to a number of civilian groups, from driving instructors to community watch groups, to help report crime.

Now the thousands of dash cam users on the road could be added to the list, as North Wales Police recently became the first force in the country to adopt a new system that makes it possible to penalise dangerous drivers recorded by other motorists using the cams in just minutes.

The project is called Operation Snap, and North Wales Police says dash cam footage will “undoubtedly” form a part of the future of roads policing in the UK. With the ability to fine reckless drivers being made easier than ever, the force hopes that road safety standards will improve, as drivers become aware their actions may be recorded by other road users and sent to the authorities. To find out how the innovative system works, Auto Express headed to Bangor to see the benefits dash cams are bringing to safety.

“We’ve always had people report incidents they witnessed on the road. Previously, they’d come to us in person,” says Sergeant John Roberts of the North Wales Police. “In recent years, we’ve had a lot of dash cam footage sent in. But even with the video as evidence, each incident still takes a long time to process.”