Putting the brakes on anti-social drivers

A new operation has been launched to target anti social and dangerous car drivers in Rochdale.

The operation will target people who drive their vehicles in a reckless manner and those who illegally modify their cars in a way that makes them dangerous or causes a disturbance to others.

Large numbers of cars meeting and driving aggressively on private car parks, playing loud music and doing handbrake turns will all be targeted in this initiative, codenamed, Operation Modify.

Police officers and traffic police community support officers will follow up calls that have been made to Greater Manchester Police relating to cars being driven dangerously or anti socially.

If GMP has not been able to trace the offenders at the time of the call then Operation Modify officers will send a warning letter to the registered owner of the car. If the illegal use of that vehicle continues, the driver could be fined and the car could be seized.

Operation Modify will also be targeting areas that have a particular problem with anti social and dangerous use of vehicles, by gathering evidence from houses in the area and building up information in order to take action.

Inspector John Maher said: “Greater Manchester Police have targeted those riding off road bikes in an anti social way for some time but this is the first time we have specifically clamped down on anti social use of cars and other on-road vehicles.

“For those who live near to areas that are regularly visited by drivers of this kind, it can be a blight on their lives. Loud noise and dangerous driving can disturb their everyday life and also could put lives at risk.”