Birmingham tops 'crash for cash' postcodes hotspots

Birmingham has topped the UK's "crash for cash" postcode league for the second time in a year.

'crash for cash' scams are run by fraudsters who manufacture collisions with other road users with a  view to profit from insurance claims.

The league table is compiled by the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), Birmingham had 10 of the top 30 postcodes for the crime.

Top crash for cash locations in 2017

1. Birmingham
2. Bradford
3. Manchester
4. London
5. Oldham
6. Liverpool
7. Bolton
8. Sheffield
9. Wakefield

Out of Birmingham's 10 postcodes on the list. Washwood Heath, Aston and Small Heath were the three worst postcodes for the crime in the UK.

In Bradford, Frizinghall and Manningham came joint fourth for the numbers of fraudulent claims, while in Manchester the M8 postcode, which includes Cheetham Hill, was ranked sixth.

The data applies to the past 12 months. In total, there were 55,573 personal injury claims linked to scams in the UK, the IFB said, costing the insurance industry a total of £340m a year.

For more information on this story see this BBC.

Driver caught on dashcam throwing Rolo wrapper from car window given £80 fine

A driver has had an £80 fine handed out to them after being caught throwing a Rolo wrapper out of their car window in Somerset.

Another motorist reported the litterer after the incident was captured on their dashcam.  The driver handed the film footage to South Somerset District Council, the offender was then found using the offending car's number plate.

After being invited in for an interview under caution, the offender admitted to throwing litter from their car and has now been issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of £80 for the offence.

Councillor Carol Goodall, portfolio holder for environmental health said: "This is a great example of how modern technology is helping local authorities tackle issues such as littering and that if you are willing to commit an offence in public, you'll ultimately pay the price.

"If you see others throwing litter from a car, let the district council know and if possible tell us where it was thrown from and how many people were in the vehicle."

Under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, it is an offence to drop or leave litter on the floor, and this includes cigarette butts.

Dropping litter can result in a Fixed Penalty Notice being issued.

Dashcam footage helps to catch burglars

Two burglars in Mansfield have been sentenced for a combined total of more than eight years after dashcam footage helped secure the conviction.

37 year old Sefton Brown, formerly of David Street in Kirkby-in-Ashfield and 36 year old John Shaw from Mansfield Road in Sutton-in-Ashfield, burgled an elderly couple’s house in Chesterfield Road South on 27 July 2016.

Shaw, who was found guilty of burglary by the jury, was jailed for four years and six months. Brown, who pleaded guilty to burglary, was jailed for three years and eight months.

Leicester Crown Court heard how the victims had their front door open because of the heat. A short time later they noticed a wallet had been taken from their hallway.

They realised they had been burgled after a passing motorist stopped at their home to tell them she had seen two men acting suspiciously and entering their front garden – which she had recorded on her dashcam.

The lady told the court how she had continued to record the men walking down the road and looking through the stolen wallet before they threw items into a bin. When she checked the bin she found photos from the victim’s wallet.

Speaking after Shaw and Brown were sentenced, Detective Constable Luke Todd, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

"These were vulnerable victims who should have felt safe and secure in their own home. I’m pleased with the sentences given which go to show that we will pursue those who commit burglary."

The judge also commended the actions of the witnesses in securing the evidence which helped massively with proving the case.

 

 

Car Left For MOT was Caught Speeding in Dashcam Footage

Vertu Motors has apologised after a staff member was caught speeding by the dashcam in a customers car.

Aguri DX10 - Popular Dash Cam

Andrew Siggens complained when his Nissan Juke’s camera showed a Bristol Street Motors’ staff member allegedly travelling at 54mph on a 40mph road.


“I was disgusted when I saw it - it certainly was a shock to see,” he told Gazette Live.
He left the car at the Darlington dealership on November 15 for its MoT.


“I am aspiring to become a police officer in the very near future,” said Siggens.
“Had I not had a dashcam and been landed with points on my driving licence due to a speed camera picking this up, I’d have been seriously prejudiced for my hopes of joining the police force.”


A spokeswoman for Vertu Motors told Gazette Live an investigation had been carried out.
She said: “We regret the incident at our dealership in Darlington and have conducted a thorough internal investigation in line with our company policy and procedures.


“Action has been taken with the colleague concerned and additional training has been completed by the team to ensure there is no repeat of this event.”