Four police forces tackle the ‘F4tal 4’ in Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire Police ran their first major East Midlands Operational Support Service (EMOpSS) joint force operation in the county on Friday, June 20.

Since January, operational support Services in Lincolnshire have been integrated into a four-force collaboration, working alongside Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire police.

Their remit covers roads policing, armed policing, public order, police dogs and command and control. Benefits of this collaboration include increased resilience, capacity, consistency of approach and efficiency.

Although local response units will still be first on scene with their local knowledge and experience, the combined resources of four forces can be called upon when required for targeted and prioritised operations.

One such operation, the first of its kind and scale in Lincolnshire since the formation of EMOpSS, was conducted in Lincolnshire on June 20.

The ‘F4tal 4’ is a national campaign focusing on the four main causes of injury and death on the roads: drink/drug driving, speeding, mobile phones and seatbelts.

A large scale operation was run in the morning at eight locations around Lincoln, using officers from all four of the EMOpSS forces.

The eight checkpoints in and around Lincoln were staffed by teams led by a Lincolnshire officer, but working with up to 10 officers from other forces.

There were also technicians present to check that vehicles are roadworthy, and background checks were carried out on licences and insurance details.

Lincolnshire Police Superintendent Shaun West, EMOpSS Superintendent for Lincs and Notts, said: “Operations such as this demonstrate the benefits of collaborative working between forces.

“Previously, we wouldn’t have had the resources to mount such a large scale operation in a single day, but the eight checkpoints mean that we can have a really significant impact on tackling the Fatal 4 in and around Lincoln.

“Road death and serious injury happens across the region, so a regional response is right and appropriate.

“Drivers in the county should be aware that policing the roads will involve officers from across the region working together in bigger teams and at more locations than would otherwise have been possible.

“Drivers may well be stopped on the day by an officer from another force, but offences will still be dealt with and processed by Lincolnshire Police.”

Operation results

Following the operation in Lincoln on Friday, police said 103 Traffic Offences Reports (TORs) will be submitted for not wearing seatbelts, 29 for mobile telephone use, 10 for excess speed and 11 for other issues such as smashed windscreens.

Two vehicles were seized for no insurance / no driving licence.

They also issued two Vehicle Defect Rectification Scheme notices which give drivers two weeks to correct a fault.

Two arrests were made, one of a man who will be charged (when fit) with excess alcohol after blowing 111 in a breath test and another man arrested on suspicion of theft and possession of drugs.