The closure of the Metropolitan Police’s commercial vehicle unit and the launch of a new operating model will reduce the number of people killed on the capital’s roads, the force insisted.
In a letter to former senior traffic commissioner Beverley Bell, the Met’s commander Charmain Brenyah said this new model, rolled out at the end of February, prioritised intelligence-led, data driven enforcement.
She said this enabled the force to “focus on high-risk corridors, repeat collision locations and the behaviours most associated with fatal and serious injury outcomes”.
“This ensures that our finite resources are deployed where they can achieve the greatest reduction in harm,” she added.
There was an outcry from the industry last year after Motor Transport sister publication Commercial Motor first reported that the Metropolitan Police Service’s (MPS) CV unit would be dissolved.
Logistics UK said it was seeking urgent clarification about how the responsibilities of the unit were to be fulfilled.
Bell described the move as “madness” and she could not think of a single reason why the decision had been made to disband it.
She wrote to the Met expressing her concern at the move and urging it to reverse the decision.
But in her response, Commander Brenyah said the new operating model would support its objective of reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured and help maintain strong partnerships.
“I would like to emphasise that both the MPS and TfL remain committed to sustained engagement with the sector,” she said.
However, Commander Brenyah went on to reject Bell’s request for a meeting to discuss the matter further.
Bell said: “The response outlines a move to an intelligence-led, data-driven enforcement model, with CVU expertise being embedded into wider operational teams.
“Whilst I recognise the continued commitment to road safety, I remain concerned about the loss of a dedicated specialist unit with such a strong track record.”
