Multiple cyclists can be independent witnesses of an incident

Clarification posted by Pat Daffarn

Multiple cyclists can be independent witnesses of an incident.

Below is a summary of response from 11845 Ceri Morgan, RTC Decision Maker, Criminal Justice – Traffic and Process Unit, Guildford Police Station after clarification was sought following WSCC members stating on Whatsapp that as members of the same club we would not be considered independent.

Her full email is below:

From: !CJ Online Allegations (Surrey) <CJOnlineAllegations@surrey.pnn.police.uk>
Sent: 05 November 2024 11:13
To: pat.daffarn@gmail.com
Subject: RE: Reporting threatening driver with 7 witnesses.
 

Good Morning

It is generally the case that if you were driving in a car with your wife and were involved in a collision (for example) they wouldn’t be an independent witness to the collision.  If they are involved in the incident then they are not witnesses but involved parties. 

However it is common for people in one location to be connected one way or another so we do not automatically rule it out due to them knowing one another.  But it is why we prefer footage to witness accounts as it is impartial.  The crime teams do not always deal with cases the same as we do in traffic matters, as different legislation requires different things, so I cannot speak for them.

Although not helpful in this situation as it has already happened dashcams do help with these matters.  Though hopefully this doesn’t happen again it may be something to consider for the future.  Thank you for making the further report, we will not deal with this matter in this department as the crime element is dealt with elsewhere in Surrey Police so they should be in contact.

Kind regards
11845 Ceri Morgan

RTC Decision Maker

Criminal Justice – Traffic and Process Unit

Guildford Police Station, GU1 9PE

Email: CJRTC@surrey.police.uk