Operation Snap - submission guidance
The post provides guidance for 3rd party reporting via the Op Snap portal based on a number of meetings between Bike Worcester and West Mercia Police. The guidance is provided in the first instance for reporting close pass overtakes, but can similarly be applied to other illegal activities.West Mercia Police encourage reporting, as it is most likely the only tool available to people travelling by bike to successfully reduce road danger. We are fortunate that West Mercia are one of the best police forces for their use of Operation Snap, and dealing with illegal driving around people walking and cycling.It should be noted that reports are only submitted in an attempt to improve driving standards, and reduce the risk of near misses and injuries (or worse).A 20 second video is long enough to demonstrate an illegal overtake by a motor vehicle. Keeping the video to this length assists the officer with regard to download speed, handling large files, and the time taken to review the file.It is useful if the date (in reverse means files can be sorted chronologically) and number plate can be included in the filename, as this assists in matching reports to files, for example:Incident on 1st June 2023 filename becomes: 230601 DB21 BUMWhen filing the description of the incident imagine it being read out in court. West Mercia have specifically requested that the report includes the impact the incident had on the individual - how did it make you feel? If you're submitting several reports it's OK to have a prepared statement that is pasted in, then modified if required with additional details.The camera(s) can be mounted anywhere on your person or bike, facing forwards, backwards, or both. Bike Worcester intend to undertake some experiments with multiple cameras to see if any is more effective and conveying the danger (watch this space). If the camera is mounted on your helmet try not to look at the vehicle as it passes, as does not provide the officer with a clear picture of the road and an estimation of distances.All submissions are reviewed by a Police Officer, and you should receive an acknowledgement of the submission, and a follow up email following it's review. Bike Worcester members have submitted over 500 reports, and we are only aware of a requirement to attend court on one occasion. Possible outcomes are a warning letter, Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) which can result in an educational course, fine, or court appearance, or No Further Action (NFA). Don't be disheartened if the action is a warning letter; Bike Worcester have regular meetings with West Mercia where these are reviewed, and it may be as a result of other reasons. The incident is still recorded, feeding into the system that will contribute to reducing road danger. Bike Worcester are not aware that any volunteer submission has resulted in an NFA.If you would like to contribute to the Bike Worcester Close Pass Map, please get in touch via the comments below.The following driving offences will be considered by West Mercia Police:Driver close pass of person on a bike < 1.50mDriver using mobile phone (in hand) whilst driving, or stationary in trafficDriver running red lightDriver not giving way to pedestrians at zebra crossingDriver parked on zigzagsDriver overtaking on wrong side of pedestrian refuge (signified by blue arrow Keep Left sign)The following driving offences will NOT be considered by West Mercia Police:Driver not leaving sufficient space to vehicle in frontDriver using horn to convey irritationDriver parked on double yellow lines, or parked on footway (parking offences are the responsibility of Local Authority)Driver overtaking person on a bike by crossing solid central white line
