MEMBERS of the public will be asked to submit dashcam footage as Bodmin Moor becomes the first place in the UK to run a new road safety initiative.

The Dash Camera Road Safety project will involve almost 100 local farmers, landowners and members of the community.

A partnership between police rural crime teams, Cornwall Fire and Rescue, Foresrty England and groups such as the Bodmin Moor Commons Council, the aim of the project is to help make rural roads safer and reduce the number of livestock that are killed or injured each year.

Those participating in the project will be provided with dash cameras and encouraged to record and submit incidents which put either animals or other road users in danger. These incidents could range from traffic offences and collisions involving livestock to anti-social behaviour, and they will be uploaded and acted upon via Devon and Cornwall Police’s Operation Snap.

PC Chris Collins, rural affairs officer for Devon and Cornwall Police, initiated the project. He said: ’We are seeing significant numbers of animals killed or injured by road users on Bodmin Moor each year. During 2019 over 70 sheep, cows and ponies were killed or injured and this year already, a further 38 animals have been killed or injured.

’This project will not only support our local farmers and landowners, but also help to make the roads a safer place for livestock and all moorland road users.’

Funding has come from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner / Cornwall Community Foundation Crimebeat Fund.

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: ’On a daily basis, communities across Cornwall are being affected by people driving dangerously so it’s absolutely right that I should try to help those communities do something about it.

’The answer to most problems lies within communities themselves so, through Cornwall Community Foundation, we are asking interested groups how they would make the roads where they live safer - to slow drivers down, stop anti-social road use, prevent accidents and ultimately save lives.’

The Bodmin Moor Commons Council has very much welcomed the initiative, saying: ’We’re very pleased to be taking part in this fantastic road safety project. The increasing number of animals killed on our moorland roads is indefensible.’