Got a leaflet through my door today from the Police...I was pleasantly surprised.

You can now text 80999 (obviously not whilst driving yourself ) to report suspected drink drivers, providing the registration and/or car details along with the location, thus informing the local control centre.

I'm not sure if this is a nationwide scheme, but I think it's a great idea. With the nation's social skills diminishing, this is surely a good way to shop suspected drink drivers for those who are afraid/incapable of speaking to the Police.

It's by no means watertight, I dare say there will be kids/idiots who want to 'play a trick' on their mates to wind them up, and those who 'txt lik ths bruv'. But all things considered, I believe it is a positive move.

What do you think?

 

any different than dialling 999?

 

I think this is a good idea, I have often wanted to know who is best to call to report a "suspected" drunk driver
I feel a call to 999 would be a waste of time if it turned out not to be a drunk driver, only a driving moron But then you would never know before they got caught. Basically what I am trying to say is that I would never know whether it would warrant a call to 999 or not
It would be a good service to use but if you have to pull over to text there is every possibility that you may forget the registration/car details???

 

hidden agenda is probably to minimise malicious/hoax calls

can't see a problem with dialling 999 myself

round here, especially at night, the Police aren't exatly stretched

 

Do you get a rewards? if so i can see people camping outside JD weatherspoon's dobbing people in when they drive off

 

A bloke I work with spent a few hours in the cells a couple of weeks ago, thanks to someone spitefully making a false accusation that he was drink driving to the police. He has been done for drink driving before, which was his own stupid fault, so they felt they had to act upon this claim.

He was in the pub and left on foot to get a taxi, and despite not even having his car keys on him, and his cars being parked on his drive at home, they still hauled him in and locked him up. Several hours later, after breath and blood tests etc.,he was released and told to go back to the station in February, once the coppers have had the chance to examine all of the pub's CCTV recordings. Wonder how many hours they'll waste doing that?

 

I think it's a good idea
I'd have used it a couple of times
Does it work in Cheshire?

 

Not sure Mikey...would be good if it was a nationwide implementation.

 

Last time I rang nines was when some clown drove at me on a roundabout and stuffed the car in.
It was so bloody incredible I was totally convinced the driver was pissed, drugged or had nicked it.
Almost certainly a malicious act.

After a lengthy call all they do is what they always used to do.
Circulate a QVC call to keep eyes out for it.
Waste of bloody time.

And this text thing is just more 'BS' feelie-goodie propoganda.

One day we'll get some proper Police resource, and coppers with old fashioned balls to fill the vacancies.

 

Control rooms are....