New police ‘special’ road safety unit makes first drug drive test

A new team of Special Constables set up to work alongside the North Wales Roads Policing Unit made its first arrest last week after a man was stopped on Nant Hall Road in Prestatyn. The 25-year-old failed the roadside drugs swipe test after testing positive for cannabis and he has since been released on police bail pending the results of further tests.

Based at Police Headquarters in Colwyn Bay the unit, six members of North Wales Police’ Special Constabulary will work closely alongside their colleagues in the Roads Policing Unit and Safer Neighbourhood Teams across the region.

The Unit are supporting the current Christmas Anti Drink and Drug Drive Campaign which launched on December 1st and all officers are now trained to use the roadside drug swipe kit.

Specials Chief Officer, Mark Owen said:

“As the Force Special Constabulary continues to grow in numbers, we are also growing in terms of the work we involve ourselves in and the specialisms we undertake.

“The team compromises of a Special Sergeant and five Special Constables, who will focus their time on helping to make the roads of North Wales safer by focussing on areas of concerns within communities across the region such as anti-social driving, drink driving, speed enforcement sites and any specific road safety operations.

“The work will be intelligence driven and will assist Safer Neighbourhood Teams and Roads Policing Unit in providing a specialist resource.”

Over the coming months the team will also have a presence at local events to not only provide road safety advice, but to also help promote the work of the Special Constabulary.

They will also link in closely with School Liaison Officers to help highlight the risks and consequences to younger drivers and will work with young drivers to help deter bad driver behaviour. And they will work alongside the Community Speed Watch initiative which has localised schemes across the region.

North Wales Police currently have 179 Special Constables who work alongside regular officers, and are expected to commit at least four hours service a week.

They are given training and a uniform, and have all the powers and authority of regular officers.