on, we even had one driver on two phones at the same time!” The fact that such behaviour continues to this day gives the CMPG every reason to carry on with Operation Parochial. “Usually, the first hour of any operation is the most productive,” says PC Rounds. “After that, drivers get on their CB radios and alert their colleagues that we’re in the area. The effect is dramatic. Compliance levels, especially in terms of drivers wearing seat belts, goes right up. At the same time, the use of mobile phones comes right down. “But that’s exactly what we’re after. We don’t want to go around ticketing everybody, it’s about getting people to comply with the legislation. So if drivers police themselves because they don’t want to get caught, then that’s fine by us.” As we travelled the motorways of the West Midlands, the value of the truck was plain to see. “Let’s start by finding a driver without his seat belt on,” said PC Rounds. A few minutes later, one unsuspecting driver glanced to his right to see himself being filmed. Sadly, he appeared to have no idea what he was doing wrong, so he just gave the officers a quizzical stare instead. By the time he had been led to a suitable parking spot and pulled over, he had worked it out. But by now, it was too late and a ticket was duly issued. While PC Nairn delivered the penalty notice, other drivers passing by picked up on what was happening at the roadside. The airwaves began to hum and sure enough, by the time we returned to the highway, the case had altered and it was some considerable time before another miscreant was spotted…
The Motorway Cops at work. Cameras record the action while patrol cars bring the law breakers to book Above: Meet the team, clockwise from bottom left: PC Katie Pring, PC Angus Nairn, PC Steve Rounds, CMPG officers and the Battenberg Scania at the launch of Operation Parochial
If you missed Police, Camera, Action! or Motorway Cops featuring the truck driving CMPG officers, you can catch up with them instead at www.scania.co.uk/cmpg
Scene Scania • 99