Campaign continues to provide Essex Police with ‘Extra Eyes’

Essex Police received 164 videos during March as part of the Extra Eyes campaign – and took action in response to 50 of the clips.

This compares to 106 videos received in January (the first full month of the campaign) and in February 137, bringing the total number received to more than 400.

Launched in December 2017, Extra Eyes encourages road users to submit footage showing dangerous road user behaviour, in a bid to reduce crashes and save lives on roads across Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock.

The Extra Eyes webpage provides a simple method for cyclists, motorcyclists and drivers to upload footage showing dangerous or illegal behaviour.

Having reviewed the footage, where appropriate Essex Police will contact the person caught on camera and explain the potential consequences of their actions.

Alternatively, the offender may be offered a driver retraining course, or in serious cases face prosecution with the footage used as evidence.

Of those where no further action was taken during March, 17 were because the submission failed to include the vehicle’s registration plate.

As a result, SERP is asking those preparing to submit a video to check the full guidance before doing so.

Matt Hine, from Essex Police Operational Tasking Unit, said:

“We’re very pleased with the response from the road using public to Extra Eyes.

“During March, 50 of the video clips we’ve received led to action against drivers who hopefully will understand that their behaviour could have led to disastrous consequences – and will modify their behaviour going forward.

“However, we could take positive action against even more drivers and to facilitate this we are asking road users to check their footage against our submission guidelines before uploading a video.

“We’d also like to remind people they can use the Extra Eyes link to provide us with information relating to drink/drug drive offences, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

18 April 2018