Operation LEAP is a high flying Success
Maesteg’s Neighbourhood Policing Team has been running a special traffic operation in response to increased public concern about the way some motorists are driving in the Llynfi valley.
Operation LEAP has focused on addressing and tackling road traffic offences, predominantly the use of excessive speed, on roads throughout the Llynfi valley during January.
The operation has included Automatic Number Plate Recognition Exercises using built in car cameras to complete various checks against every car caught in the lenses.
In addition a number of mobile speeding exercises were carried out to stop those travelling at excessive speed and issue fines. Unmarked vehicles were also used to identify those committing a range of offences whilst driving.
There were also several partnership exercises between Roads Policing, Vehicle Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and Bridgend County Borough Council checking school buses and the Welsh Casualty Reduction Partnership camera van was parked at various locations throughout the valley monitoring speed.
PCSO Bella Rees who managed the operation said: “The results were fantastic.
“Operation Leap produced 2 Arrests, 10 vehicles seizures, 17 Fines and 22 written warnings so far. Checks on the schools buses ferrying children to Maesteg Comprehensive and Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd found a total of 12 faults with buses and 3 of those were serious enough to require immediate ‘off the road’ notices. In total over 5700 vehicles were checked during the operation.
“I hope that the work has shown that Road Safety is an important priority for the local policing team and the community and has sent out a message to motorists that a zero tolerance stance will be taken to those who knowingly choose to break the law on our roads.”
Operation Leap will now run intermittently throughout the year for varying lengths of time to ensure that public concern continues to be addressed.