Operation Scalis
A new collaboration between West Midlands police and MIB (Motor Insurers’ Bureau) to tackle uninsured driving across the region took more than 150 uninsured vehicles off the road in its five months of operation. The dedicated resource pilot has allowed the force to focus on key hotspots and maximise the impact of the operations.
MIB exists to protect people from the devastation of uninsured and hit-and-run drivers. MIB supported West Midlands Police, enabling the dedicated resourcing of West Midlands officers across 18 days of operations, named Operation Scalis, in which they focused on tackling uninsured driving in key hotspots across the region. Funding will come from MIB’s £5 million investment to increase their work to get uninsured drivers off the roads sooner.
Operation Scalis comprised 18 days of activity, allowing officers to trial activity across different areas of the West Midlands and refine success as learnings are made regarding which hotspots yield the highest levels of uninsured drivers.
MIB is currently in the process of rolling Operation Scalis out to another three police forces across the UK, with these secondary pilots expected to come into action during Q3 of 2024, with activity stretching across into Q4. If successful, Operation Scalis will then roll out to a wider field later in 2024.
This presentation will showcase the concept, demonstrating learnings and successes and how funding has been secured to allow MIB and the forces to partner in their mutual aim of removing uninsured drivers from the roads to make them safer for everyone.
Paul Farley, National Law Enforcement Manager, Motor Insurers’ Bureau
Paul Farley joined the MIB enforcement team in 2018, after 30 years’ experience in law enforcement with West Midlands Police. During his time with the force, Paul led teams across several portfolios including Traffic and Air Operations policing in addition to managing the West Midlands Casualty reduction team. During the latter part of his policing service he performed the role of tactical firearms commander in the Birmingham area
Paul explained: "I have a real passion for protecting people from harm and capitalising on my policing experience. Working for MIB across a multitude of different forces has brought some great success to date in reducing uninsured and untraced driving on UK roads."
Outside of his day job Paul is a keen rallying motorsport competitor and official, and also instructs Motorsport UK Rally safety courses to senior officials across the UK.
Paul added: "My involvement with law enforcement and motorsport safety provides a good basis of law and practical applications which dovetails well in my role with the MIB."
Paul manages a team of MIB law Enforcement Liaison Officers spanning across all of the UK 45 police forces. He can be contacted on pfarley@mib.org.uk