Police to trial new operation to protect cyclists in Kenilworth

By James Smith 13th Feb 2024

Operation Close Pass will be trialled in Kenilworth (image by SWNS)
Operation Close Pass will be trialled in Kenilworth (image by SWNS)

Police in Kenilworth are set to trial a new scheme aimed at protecting cyclists on the road.

'Operation Close Pass' will be trialled in the town as some point in the next few weeks, with a view to it potentially being rolled out further.

Speaking at last week's Kenilworth Community Forum, PCSO Craig Ricardo said the operation would see plain clothes officers cycling in busy parts of the town, wearing body cameras and with police radios.

He explained, if motorists pass the officers dangerously, a police car further down the road will be called to stop the driver and talk to them

"Another thing we are going to arrange is Operation Close Pass, for cycling," PCSO Ricardo said. 

"We know it goes on, cyclists are being unknowingly targeted by terrible drivers, leaving no space between cyclists and motor vehicles. 

"We know that, we have had lots of reports."

Operation Close Pass will use under cover police officers, and checks around the town (image by James Smith)

He added: "Depending on how they [drivers] manoeuvre it will be educational and we will take their details. 

"If it is really bad, we can take it further. 

"We are hot on that. Cyclists have spoken to us a lot about that."

The operation is coming following continued reports of dangerous driving.

But with the scheme needing at least four officers at any one time, it is only being trialled to start with.

"I can only say at the moment, it is a one off," PCSO Ricardo added. 

"If it is successful, it will be pushed. 

"We will need to get more officers involved. If it is successful, there is no reason it wont go on."

     

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