RESIDENTS  of Greater Manchester are increasingly using dashcam footage to help the police catch dangerous drivers.

The dashcam submission portal, known as Operation Snap, has seen a rise in the number of uploads since its launch.

In 2023, there were 5,078 submissions, up from 3,715 in 2020.

The footage is used to identify offences such as close passing of cyclists, dangerous driving, mobile phone use, running red lights, speeding, misuse of the hard shoulder, and obstructive parking.

The number of positive outcomes, which could involve warning letters, fines, or prosecutions, has also risen sharply.

Between August 2023 and January 2024, there was an 85 per cent increase in positive outcomes compared to the same period the previous year.

In the first 10 months of 2024, 3,110 positive outcomes resulted from 4,729 submissions.

Superintendent Gareth Parkin of GMP's Safer Transport Unit said: "Our dashcam portal, which we have codenamed Op Snap, is our way of having a determined and robust approach to policing the roads and we’ll take every opportunity to make them safer for everyone.

"Dashcam and cycle cam footage from drivers and cyclists using the roads is vital to this enforcement and we encourage everyone to continue to use the portal to do this."

The footage is also used to identify hotspots of repeat offences, allowing the police to focus their road safety tactics in these areas.

These include Fountain Street in the city centre, Atherton Road in Hindley, Oldham Road in Uppermill, and Blackburn Road in Bolton.

Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: "Evidence of dangerous behaviour on our roads is being captured by members of the public every day, and I am pleased to see GMP reaffirming its commitment to using this vital resource to support robust policing and enforcement on our roads."

Greater Manchester has a target to eliminate all road deaths and life-changing injuries by 2040, with a 50 per cent reduction by 2030.

People wishing to submit footage should ensure they have the vehicle registration number and be prepared to provide a witness statement and possibly give evidence in court.