Keeping Communities Safe: Behind the Scenes with Roads Policing

Road safety and anti-social behaviour linked to the misuse of vehicles remain key concerns for residents across South Wales. These issues are regularly raised with the Commissioner, with many people sharing the impact they have on their daily lives and how unsafe this behaviour can make them feel.

To better understand how roads policing teams are tackling these concerns, the Commissioner joined officers for a behind-the-scenes shift. The visit provided an opportunity to see the realities of the role, understand the challenges officers face, and speak directly to frontline staff about the work being undertaken to protect communities.

Working around the clock, officers respond to emergencies, investigate serious collisions, disrupt criminality and target those who use our roads to cause harm. Much of this work goes unseen, but it plays a crucial role in protecting the public every day.

The shift quickly highlighted the volume of incidents officers are dealing with involving the dangerous and irresponsible use of e-vehicles. From anti-social behaviour to significant risks to pedestrians and other road users, this is an increasingly common challenge for policing.

Supporting officers on the ground was the National Police Air Service (NPAS), providing a bird’s-eye view of incidents as they unfolded. The aerial support enabled officers to track suspects, monitor movements and deploy resources more effectively, helping teams make informed decisions and use appropriate tactics to disrupt those causing harm.

Observing the coordinated response between Roads Policing officers and NPAS highlighted the complexity of tackling an issue that continues to affect communities across South Wales. Any pursuit of offenders must be carefully balanced with public safety, often requiring considerable resources, specialist tactics and close coordination between teams.

Whilst the shift demonstrated the determination of officers to tackle these issues, it also reinforced that enforcement alone is not enough. To support proactive policing and improve public safety, the Commissioner believes stronger legislation and clearer regulation are needed to address the dangerous misuse of e-vehicles.

Reflecting on the experience, the Commissioner said:

“What I witnessed was the professionalism, skill and commitment of our Roads Policing officers, who work tirelessly to keep people safe. However, it was also clear that the dangerous misuse of e-vehicles is becoming an increasingly common issue, placing communities at risk and creating significant challenges for policing. We must ensure officers have the legislation and powers they need to respond effectively, and I will continue to press for stronger regulation and action at a national level.”