News

Police drop 1 in 6 speeding cases, RAC Foundation report finds

Published

4 years ago

February 11, 2022

MORE than one in six speeding offences recorded by police forces in England and Wales were later dropped, figures show.

Of the 2.4 million speeding cases detected in the 12 months to the end of March last year, a total of 404,335 were written off, according to analysis of government data by the RAC Foundation.

This means that 17% of all speeding offences recorded in the year 2020-21 were later cancelled, up from 13% during 2019-20.

Cases were dropped against motorists for a variety of reasons, including faulty speed cameras, delays in issuing notices of intended prosecution and a lack of resources to bring cases to court.

The report also highlights concerning levels of cars being used with cloned or false number plates. In some cases, this led to innocent motorists receiving fines for speeding offences they did not commit.

The total number of speeding offences detected in England and Wales in 2020-21 was down by only 6% on the previous 12 months, despite traffic volumes falling by more than a quarter because of coronavirus lockdowns. Most speeding offences (96%) were picked up by cameras.

If caught speeding, drivers can normally expect a £100 penalty and three penalty points on their licence unless they’re given the option to take a speed awareness course.

The RAC Foundation called on the Government do to more to address flaws in the system that are causing so many offences to be cancelled.

The organisation’s director Steve Gooding said: “It is correct that drivers caught speeding should face the consequences, but it is also important that the systems of detection and prosecution are robust.

“The hundreds of thousands of cancelled offences each year indicate they are not. At the very least it is an administrative burden the police could do without.

“We urge the Home Office to start collecting data from police forces about these cancelled offences so we can understand where the problem lies.”

Adam Snow, a lecturer at the law school of Liverpool John Moores University, who worked on the report, said: “Police forces and local authorities are seeing number plate cloning as a growing problem.

“With the increasing reliance on camera enforcement for clean air zones and moving traffic violations, there is some evidence to suggest more motorists are seeing this as an acceptable response even though it is fraud.”

News

Motorcyclist dies after four-vehicle crash on A40 in Carmarthenshire

Published

3 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A MOTORCYCLIST has died following a four-vehicle collision on the A40 between St Clears and Whitland.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the crash happened at around 12:00pm on Sunday (Jun 21) and involved a grey Audi, a blue Seat, a grey Vauxhall and an orange KTM motorbike.

Sadly, the rider of the KTM died from their injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. He has since been released on conditional bail while further enquiries continue.

The road was closed while collision investigators examined the scene and reopened at around 8:30pm.

The latest tragedy follows two other serious motorcycle crashes in west Wales.

On Sunday afternoon, another motorcyclist was injured in a separate collision and is recovering in hospital.

Last week, a 22-year-old rider sadly died in a crash near Narberth, while his female pillion passenger was taken to hospital.

Anyone with information, or dashcam footage which could assist the investigation, is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], by direct message on social media, or by calling 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

Quote reference: DP-20260621-177.

Health

Ambulance delays and blocked beds putting Welsh patients at risk, watchdog warns

Published

11 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

AMBULANCE handover delays, long waits in emergency departments and delays discharging patients from hospital are continuing to put people at risk across Wales, Audit Wales has warned.

The public spending watchdog said urgent and emergency care remains under “constant pressure” despite extra funding and new policies aimed at improving joined-up working between the NHS, ambulance service, councils and social care providers.

In an article published today, Monday (Jun 22), Audit Wales said its work since 2024 had examined how health boards and the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust manage demand for urgent and emergency care, as well as how health boards and local authorities support timely discharge from hospital.

It found that pressures across the system are increasing patient safety risks and driving up costs.

Key problems identified include ambulance handover delays, lengthy waits in emergency departments, underused new services despite extra funding, and delayed hospital discharges which continue to result in hundreds of thousands of lost bed days each year.

Audit Wales also said workforce problems across health and social care remain a major factor in delayed discharges.

The watchdog warned that data is still not being shared effectively across the system, making it harder for public bodies to make informed decisions and manage pressure.

The findings will add to growing concern about the state of urgent and emergency care in Wales, with patients, families and frontline staff repeatedly warning that delays in A&E and problems arranging social care packages are leaving people waiting too long for treatment or stuck in hospital after they are medically fit to leave.

Audit Wales said staff and leaders across the system had made clear that “something must change”.

It has set out six questions for the Welsh Government, NHS Wales and local authorities to consider as they look at how urgent and emergency care can be improved.

The Auditor General for Wales is the independent statutory external auditor of the devolved Welsh public sector and is responsible for auditing most public money spent in Wales.

The Herald has asked the Welsh Government and Hywel Dda University Health Board for comment.

Entertainment

Pembrokeshire soprano to perform at International Eisteddfod

Published

26 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST music teacher and soprano soloist Clare Harrison is set to perform at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen next month.

Clare will sing under the baton of Sir Karl Jenkins on Tuesday, July 7, as part of the World Choir, an auditioned international chorus of singers, for the long-awaited Welsh premiere of his work One World.

She will also perform in a new commission, Greeting the Dawn, by Sam Buttler, and in Peace Child with Wrexham-based chorus NEW Voices.

Clare combines a busy teaching schedule with regular solo performances across Wales and the borders.

Her next Pembrokeshire appearance will be as soloist with Tenby Male Choir at St Mary’s Church, Tenby, on Thursday, July 16.

Caption:

Clare Harrison: The Haverfordwest soprano will perform at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen.