"Operation Canvas Isn’t Something That Will Go Away"

Wednesday, 10 February 2021 15:22

More than 80 vehicles were stopped last weekend, including one going nearly double the speed limit, as part of the ongoing operation to crack down on dangerous driving across Jersey.

30 drivers given words of advice, 12 referred to parish hall enquiries for speeding, and one vehicle seized for defects.

One was caught speeding at 57mph in a 30mph zone.

Help from islanders also led to three other vehicles being seized and four people being arrested for dangerous driving.

Operation Canvas was launched in July 2020 amid growing concerns at the manner of some people's driving.

Islanders can report incidents of dangerous driving online and through the Community Policing Team.

"We know that combating anti-social driving remains a top priority for islanders, so uniformed officers are now regularly tasked to specifically work within this area of policing.

"The fast and dangerous driving and riding of vehicles that have often been modified, is responsible for a large portion of the reports and engagement we are currently receiving across parishes.

"Operation Canvas isn’t something that will go away; our resourcing will continue to respond to the level of the problem, using both uniformed and covert officers to target the offenders and work alongside our partners to ensure they can’t continue with their behaviour." - Inspector Cathy Davison, lead for Roads Policing.

The last update given by police on Operation Canvas was given in September 2020, where 14 drivers were arrested for various motoring offences.

More than 1100 vehicles were stopped in a day of action in early September 2020 - with 21 drivers caught speeding and two arrested.

The police say orders are in place to target offenders 'for the foreseeable future, particularly during the early hours and over the weekend'.