Vehicle Crime
Unfortunately history recalls that with the increase of visitors to
the area comes an increase in car crime, mainly involving theft of
valuables from motor vehicles. Tackling this issue is one of
the team’s priorities and we will be carrying out high visibility
patrols at these locations as often as possible as a deterrent to
potential thieves and to distribute crime prevention advice
leaflets.
Despite numerous media and crime prevention
campaigns over recent years to try and encourage people not to
leave valuables in their vehicles, some are still doing so. The key
to preventing this type of crime is not to give the thieves
anything to take in the first place. Therefore, PLEASE if you
leave your cars unattended do not leave any valuables on view or
better still if possible don’t leave them in the vehicle at
all.
Top Tip
In car portable SATNAV systems seem to be the latest popular items
to steal, if left in situ they are easy to see and easy to remove.
If you are leaving your vehicle make sure you remove both the unit
and it’s holder. Leaving an empty holder may advertise the fact
that you have one and sometimes thieves will break into the vehicle
anyway on the off chance that it’s been hidden away.Once you have
removed it from the windscreen remember to wipe away the circle
left by the suction pad as this too advertises the fact there may
be one in the vehicle.
Motorcycles in Forest
The use of motorcycles within forests and on open land has been an
issue for many years on the Wilford Peninsula. Due to size
and the landscape of the area, policing this issue has been
challenging but this has now become one of our team’s priorities
under the heading of Anti Social Behaviour.
The strategy for dealing with this issue will be the use of
intelligence (information from the public), prevention (education)
and enforcement (increased patrols). On the one hand there may be
people who genuinely believe that what they are doing is neither
illegal nor inconsiderate and on the other there are those who do,
but carry on regardless.
There are five types of public rights of way
:-
1. Bridleway – The public has a right to pass
and repass on foot,on horseback and on a pedal cycle.
2. Byway Open To All Traffic – The public has a right to pass and
repass on foot, horseback, pedal cycle or with a vehicle but the
route is mainly used by pedestrians and/or horses.
3. Public Footpath – The public has a right to pass and repass on
foot and they may take a pram, pushchair or dog.
4. Road Used as a Public Path ( RUPP) – The public has a right to
pass and repass on foot, on horseback and on a pedal cycle. Public
vehicular rights may exist but are not proven.
5. Restricted Byways – The public has a right of way on foot, on
horseback or leading a horse, or for vehicles other than
mechanically propelled vehicles.
Many of the existing rights of way on the Wilford Peninsula were
designated as RUPPs, however as of 20/4/07 under the Countryside
and Rights of Way Act 2000 all RUPPs will be re-classified as
Restricted Byways unless they carry full vehicular rights.
Relevant Legislation: -
Section 34 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 provides the offence of
driving a mechanically propelled vehicle without lawful authority
on common land, moorland or land not forming part of a road, or on
any road which is a footpath, bridleway or restricted byway.
Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002, provides that if a person
uses a mechanically propelled vehicle in contravention of the above
act, or drives a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or other
public place without due care and attention, or without reasonable
consideration for other persons using the road or public place, in
contravention of Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988,a constable
in uniform who has reasonable grounds for believing that the
vehicle is being used on any occasion in a manner which contravenes
either sections 3 or 34 shall have the power: -
(a) if the motor vehicle is moving, to order the
person driving it to stop the vehicle;
(b) the power to seize and remove the motor vehicle;
(c) the power, for the purposes of exercising a power falling
within paragraph (a) or (b), to enter any premises on which he has
reasonable grounds for believing the motor vehicle to be;
(d) the power to use reasonable force, if necessary, in the
exercise of any power conferred by any of paragraphs (a) to
(c).