Cash for crash arrest made

A man has been arrested by police on suspicion of fraud yesterday evening (Sunday 20th July). Police suspect that he has been involved in ‘Crash for Cash’ collisions in the Newport and Telford area. He remains in police custody while enquiries continue.

PC Rich Edward from the Newport Safer Neighbourhood Team said “Crash for Cash collisions are a serious national problem that impact thousands of road users each year. By using dangerous and misleading driving manoeuvres, fraudsters lure innocent motorists into a collision, leaving drivers not only shaken but appearing at fault as they have collided into the back of another vehicle. This leaves scammers in a position to make bogus insurance claims for financial compensation.

Locally, incidents that are believed to be ‘Crash for Cash’ have typically been occurring as vehicles enter a roundabout. The vehicle in front will start to move onto the roundabout when it is clear but will then suddenly stop. The vehicle behind, not expecting this, continues into the back of the vehicle in front.

Please continue to be observant while driving. Always leave sufficient space between you and the vehicle in front so you can pull up safely if it suddenly slows down or stops. Consider the use of a dashcam to capture video evidence of any such collision.

We continue to patrol the area’s affected, but if you have been involved in, or witnessed, a collision that you suspect to be a ‘Crash for Cash’, please report online here https://orlo.uk/swYGy or call 101. In an emergency, call 999.”