1. Identify roads policing strategies and police powers in the policing of the roads.

2. Outline legislation and case law in relation to complex road investigations.

3. Analyse and review methods for strategically and safely policing the roads.

4. Critically discuss and evaluate literature concerning the policing of the roads.

Students are to review the academic literature as well as the policies and practices applicable to¿one aspect/topic of roads policing covered in the module. The topic/area is to be decided by students but academic as well as legislative/policy literature must be reviewed.

Linked to learning outcomes 1-4.

The module will give students an overview of the core policing functions and strategies relating to the policing of the roads, including key pieces of legislation and police powers associated with common offences on the roads.

Students will examine how the UK road network is policed strategically and safely including obtaining an understanding of the legislation relating to complex road investigations and commercial vehicle enforcement. They will obtain an understanding of how to identify and disrupt specific criminality facilitated by the roads network.

This module will cover:

Core policing functions and strategies relating to policing of the roads

Legislation and powers associated with the most common offences associated with the policing of the roads and more complex road investigations

Police powers in relation to commercial vehicle enforcement

The effect of roads-related anti-social behaviour offences on victims and families
Problem solving processes for incidents and collisions on the roads
Criminal activities facilitated by the roads network and police tactics for disruption and prevention

Strategies associated with reducing the number of collisions

College of Policing curriculum content:
Policing the roads – 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 8.1, 8.2

The roads network is an important policing context where police powers, legislation and skills can be used to identify offenders, disrupt criminal behaviour and increase safety for road users. This module will give students an overview of the core policing functions and strategies relating to the policing of the roads, including key pieces of legislation and police powers associated with common offences on the roads. Students will examine how the UK road network is policed strategically and safely including obtaining an understanding of the legislation relating to complex road investigations and commercial vehicle enforcement. They will also obtain an understanding of how to identify and disrupt specific criminality facilitated by the roads network.

13 x 2-hour lectures and workshops introducing and discussing course material.

2 x 1-hour tutorials/practicals.



Lectures will be led by the lecturer and used to deliver key concepts and learning within the module content. During these sessions, there will be interactive elements such as quizzes, short discussions, students asked for their thoughts or viewpoint and opportunities to ask questions to the lecturer.



Tutorial sessions will based around student centred learning, group discussions and case study exploration to aide students learning on the module.



Practical sessions will provide students with the opportunity to apply their theoretical learning to given situations and reflect on their skills development and application of knowledge.



Non-contact independent study will be directed to reading lecture notes and the literature to support knowledge and understanding, formative guidance will be provided to assist students in the selection of a suitable subject for the literature review assessment and support in how to write the literature review. This will link in with the Research Methods module which also develops academic practice.

Formative feedback will be through submission of a draft literature review plan and through in-lecture discussions and debates.

College of Policing (2020) Roads Policing. APP Guidance. Available at: Road policing (college.police.uk)



HMICFRS (2020) Roads Policing: Not optional An inspection of roads policing in England and Wales. Available at: Roads policing: Not optional – An inspection of roads policing in England and Wales (justiceinspectorates.gov.uk)

Various Authors. (2020) Blackstone’s Police Manuals. Oxford: OUP Available at:

http://www.blackstonespoliceservice.com.ezproxy.staffs.ac.uk/¿¿



Additional reading available from the online reading list

Specialist IT Labs (Mellor building or Beacon)¿

Drone use