Appeal after man coughs at staff in mobile speed camera van

At about 2.10pm yesterday (Wednesday, May 13), a motorist in what is thought to be a Transit van pulled up alongside the vehicle on Lincoln Road in the town.

The motorist is then believed to have left his van and walked to the camera vehicle before coughing inside it. He then got back into his van and drove off.

Part of the van’s registration plate was captured by the police cameras and officers are investigating.

Superintendent Paul Timmins, Head of the Specialist Operations Unit, said: “Attacks on any emergency worker are completely unacceptable, especially so during the current Covid-19 pandemic.

“Many of those who operate our mobile safety camera vans are police staff carrying out vital work to crack down on speeding motorists.

“Even if the roads are quieter, speeding is never acceptable – it is one of the main causes of fatal and serious collisions – so those operating our vans are carrying out really important work and keeping our road users safe.

“I would appeal to anyone who may have seen this incident, or who has information, to contact us on 101 quoting Incident 203 of May 13.”