Three arrested after road safety operation held in memory of Streetly man killed by drink driver
Harry Chapman was two weeks away from his 21st birthday when he died on Aldridge Road in 2022
A road safety operation held in memory of a young man killed by a drink driver has led to three arrests and the seizure of eight vehicles.
West Midlands Police carried out the operation on Aldridge Road in Streetly on Friday 23rd October, in memory of Harry Chapman.
Harry was two weeks away from his 21st birthday when he was hit by a drink driver on the same road on 7th October 2022, the force said.
The driver was sentenced to 11 years in prison, and police said they have since worked with Harry's family to raise awareness of the consequences of drink and drug driving.
Harry's sister, Lola, who now works as an ANPR researcher at West Midlands Police, asked for an operation to be held in his memory, according to the force.
Results of the operation
Police said 12 vehicles were stopped in total during the operation.
Eight vehicles were seized for offences ranging from having no insurance to no vehicle tax.
Three people were arrested, including two for driving under the influence of drugs.
One of those arrested was also wanted for breaching a court order, while another person was arrested for driving while disqualified, police said.
20 drivers were reported for a range of offences, including failing to wear a seatbelt, having incorrect registration plates and having no driving licence.
Two cars were also recovered after officers said they discovered the vehicles had been stolen.
One of the cars had been stolen during a car key burglary only a few days earlier, the force said.
Reaction
PC Theo Kacoulli, from the force's Roads Policing Unit, said: "One wrong decision could cost someone their life. Driving under the influence of drink or drugs can have terrible consequences and can ruin the lives of families.
"It's a decision that only you can make. But we urge people to make sure it's the right one.
"This must have been really hard for Lola, but her bravery shows us how important it is to carry out operations like this so that another family doesn't have to go through the pain that Lola and her family still live with today.
"We are committed to working with our partners to make our roads safer. One life lost on our roads is one life too many."
Lola said: "Thank you to everyone involved and for all the efforts from West Midlands Police to improve road safety.
"Please be mindful of the consequences of driving under the influence and dangerous driving. It can be a lifetime sentence for those involved."