Related: Car driven at police in Strathdale
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THE decision from police to stop engaging in pursuits is saving lives, Bendigo police say, after two run-ins with dangerous drivers in the city over the weekend.
The driver of a Subaru drove at officers on Sibley Place in Strathdale on Sunday morning, before fleeing the scene.
Another driver sped away from police at speeds in excess of 150 kilometres per hour on McIvor Highway on Sunday night, driving through a red light at Reservoir Road.
On both occasions, police were unable to pursue the vehicles.
Senior Sergeant Mark Edwards, of Bendigo Highway Patrol, said a change in policy in July – in which police can only pursue vehicles after extremely serious offences – has made the streets safer.
He said police had a number of means to track people down, instead of engaging in pursuits.
“Since the policy was introduced, there have been a number of incidents of serious misconduct on the roads, but more often than not, the people responsible are tracked down,” he said.
“If you put a police car behind them, it just ups the ante and makes it into an extremely dangerous situation.
“Some people seem to think they can’t be identified if they have no number plates or they’re in a stolen car, but our in-car cameras are always catching good footage.
“If they decide to drive at police, or place anyone in serious danger, then it changes from a traffic offence to a serious criminal offence, and they will be facing jail time or a very serious fine.”
The change in Victoria Police pursuit policy was further highlighted on the weekend when a Mount Eliza man chased the men who stole his BMW convertible through the streets of Melbourne.
The man was critical of the police response, after passing officers stopped at a number of intersections during his pursuit.
The car was caught on CCTV cameras a number of times, including during the ram raid of a Hog’s Breath restaurant.
There had been several other incidents in Melbourne of offenders driving at, or even shooting at, police cars with the knowledge they would not be pursued.
Senior Sergeant Edwards said members of the Bendigo Highway Patrol agreed none of them would have engaged in the pursuit, and the cars were only at the intersections to prevent passing traffic from causing a crash.
He said there had been a noticeable decrease in crashes caused by pursuits in Victoria since July.
“The data is telling us that the number of crashes from pursuits is down, that it’s just not happening anymore, and that’s what we want,” Senior Sergeant Edwards said.
“Three type of people who engage in pursuits: individuals on traffic matters, drug users and more serious criminals, who display more sinister behaviour.
“In all of these instances, it’s safer not to chase them.”
He said the policy change meant criminals were even more accountable for their actions, rather than blaming police for causing crashes.