Caught on camera | Footage submitted to Devon and Cornwall Police used to catch law-breakers

Devon & Cornwall Police received more than 6000 videos from disgruntled motorists in 2023, making it a record breaking year for the force’s Operation Snap campaign. 

Set up in 2019 in a bid to reduce traffic offences, the system allows members of the public to submit snippets of recorded evidence via an online portal. 

Since its introduction, almost 10,000 motorists have been reprimanded – with officers receiving footage from sources including dashcams, video doorbells, motorcycle helmet cameras and more.

“More people are using dashcams and helmet cameras than ever before – but also more members of the public are now aware of Op Snap and understand that they have the power to do something about poor driving,” the force’s Head of Road Safety, Adrian Leisk said. 

“All of this makes it increasingly likely that dangerous and reckless drivers will be caught on camera and prosecuted.

“While it is clearly worrying that so many instances of dangerous driving are being witnessed on our roads, it’s encouraging that members of the public are coming on board with the campaign and submitting footage of poor driving.” 

In order to mark the record breaking year, a compilation has been released showing a number of offences dealt with by the force. Included in the video is a cruiser rider overtaking on double white lines on Roseworthy Hill, Camborne. The rider was required to go on a training course. 

Other offences seen in the clips included driving without due care, a close pass of a cyclist by
a tractor, and a motorist using a mobile behind the wheel near the Tamar bridge on the A38. 

The videos have been released by Vision Zero South West, a road safety group aiming to cut the number of deaths and serious injuries on the road in the region to zero. Members include Devon & Cornwall Police, Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service, and a number of local authorities.

“Whether it’s someone who dies, sustains a brain injury, loses a limb, or suffers from the harrowing mental effects of a road traffic collision, the effect an incident has on them – as well as their friends and family – cannot be underestimated,” Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly said.

“The whole purpose of Vision Zero South West is to cut road traffic deaths to zero. All our partners will admit this is an extremely ambitious target but one which needs to be at the forefront of all of our minds.”

The group hope to be able to halve serious and fatal injuries by 2030, with 47 killed and 741 seriously injured on the region’s roads in 2022.

Watch some of the submitted footage here