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Welsh TV documentary lifts the lid on local road policing


February 16, 2021 - 1307 views

From the busy towns to the quiet countryside, a brand new TV documentary - Y Llinell Las - looks at the work of the North Wales Police Roads Policing Unit in new series on S4C starting tonight 16th of February.

The North Wales Police region covers an exceptionally wide area - nearly a third of Wales’ land, and the problems that arise are very diverse from area to area - from the cities in the East to the countryside of the West.

With in-car, custody and body cameras, a TV crew followed the Roads Policing Unit in their incredible day-to-day work.

Sgt Raymond Williams has been with the unit for 10 years and for him, making a difference is what motivates him in his job. He said: "If I get so much personal satisfaction from being able to make a difference to someone in the darkest time of their lives...that's worth a lot more in someone's head than money in the bank."

Another member of the Roads Policing Unit for 11 years is PC Alun Jones from Rhosgadfan.

He gets a call about a car on its side in the middle of the road - without a sign of anyone. The accident is serious with the driver probably doing up to 90 miles per hour and shattered glass everywhere.

He said: “Most people who run away from accidents like this, it's not just because they don't have insurance or a licence. There’s usually more to it.”

Because it’s dark and in a rural area, a helicopter has to be called and through the use of special technology, we see how the Police are able to find a man in a field near to the scene of the collision.

For the first time ever, cameras will have complete and honest access to the work of North Wales Police as they work to keep us and our communities safe in an area that ranges from secluded country lanes to the busy North Wales Expressway, the A55.

Filming for Y Llinell Las (The Blue Line) began over Christmas in 2019 and over the recent period of Covid-19, the team has followed all the guidelines, legislation and protocols the Welsh Government has set to ensure that the work continues in safe way.

The series also draws the public's attention to drink and drug driving, speed, police violence and much more.

Y Llinell Las 16 February, 9.00pm S4C with English subtitles available.