Off-duty officer helps catch dangerous driver in Braintree

Police officers are known for always being ready – even when they’re off duty.

That proved true on Saturday 26 April when an off-duty Metropolitan Police officer raised the alarm about a car being driven dangerously on the A120 near Braintree.

The officer spotted a red Mazda 2 swerving across the road, veering into the path of oncoming traffic and hitting the kerb several times. Concerned for public safety, the officer called 999 and continued to follow the vehicle until it stopped near Braintree Cemetery, where Essex Police’s Roads Policing Unit stepped in.

The driver, 63-year-old Ivan Bidwell of Bailey Bridge Road, Braintree, was breathalysed and found to be more than three times over the legal alcohol limit. He was arrested at the roadside on suspicion of drink driving.

Bidwell appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 26 November, where he admitted driving under the influence of alcohol. He was banned from driving for four years and ordered to complete 140 hours of unpaid work as part of a community order. The driving ban may be reduced if he completes an approved course.

PC Gates said:

As roads policing officers, we’re dedicated to keeping the roads safe and reducing collisions. I’d like to thank our off-duty colleague for making road safety a priority that night. Ivan Bidwell blatantly broke the law and put himself and others at serious risk.

We're offering more ways for our communities to stay up to date with our work across Essex.

Our e-newsletter, Dispatch, delivers news, information, and advice from Essex Police.

Dispatch is a ‘one stop shop’ for local police news – direct from the source. 

Sign up is completely free and you can unsubscribe at any time.