Neighbourhood officers were out in force on Tuesday 12 May as part of Operation Quake 2, a multi-agency initiative to tackle the problem of anti-social driving across Surrey.

The operation in Guildford borough focused on anti-social driving (including motorcycles and mopeds), speeding, anti-social parking particularly around local schools to deal with parking issues and issuing advice and reassurance, using mobile phones while driving, incorrect use of bus lanes and theft of and from motor vehicles.

Neighbourhood officers joined up with Guildford Council Community Safety Wardens to carry out patrols in areas that are known for theft from motor vehicles such as car parks and beauty spots offering advice to motorists regarding car security and gathering any intelligence. Their patrols also concentrated on spotting people using mobile phones, speeding and antisocial driving and parking.

Across Ash, Ripley and Guildford Town Centre a total of 14 fixed penalty notices were issued; 4 HORTI 1 notices were issued requiring drivers to produce their documents and 1 VDRS was issued (vehicle defect rectification scheme) where the owner has 14 days to rectify a defect to avoid prosecution.

Officers gave out 28 warnings relating to inconsiderate parking mostly around the schools in Ash at the start and end of the day. In the town centre, officers spoke to 15 motorists and in Guildford Business Park, 25 motorists were advised about speeding in the area.

Guildford Borough Council Environmental Enforcement Officers also spoke to around 180 people in relation to neighbourhood and environmental issues and gave out crime prevention timers and low energy bulbs.

Guildford’s Crime Reduction Advisor PC Steve Cake said: ”Feedback from residents shows that anti-social driving is a top issue for the people in Surrey. Surrey Police, together with our partners including the Safer Guildford Partnership, take these concerns very seriously which is why we organised this action day and are working hard with all agencies to tackle anti-social driving in the borough.“

The joint operation saw officers from the Safer Neighbourhood Teams and the Roads Policing Unit working alongside partner agencies from Guildford Borough Council and the Safer Guildford Partnership.