PERHAPS it was a one-off. Or perhaps this signals the start of a major police crackdown on imaginary car drivers.

David Honan's arrest sends out an unequivocal message. Those who recklessly career around our streets in make-believe motors going "brum brum" will be shown zero tolerance.

The police say they have right on their side. By running in the road clutching a steering wheel, cape billowing behind him, Mr Honan could have caused a road accident.

But this was Colliergate at 2pm on a Saturday. Scores of shoppers mill about in the middle of this road knowing it to be free of traffic, save for disabled drivers and emergency vehicles. This really wasn't an accident waiting to happen.

By arresting Mr Honan, the police have boosted the profile of his Street Theatre Advertising Company. But they have done nothing for their own credibility.

In York, violent crime is on the increase. Residents who report acts of vandalism are often told there are no officers available to help.

Yet there are officers available to detain and formally caution a street performer.

If York police are really ready to get tough on highway offences, there are a range of very real problems they could tackle, starting with the fleet of motorists who jump red lights and the legion of pavement cyclists.

Updated: 09:38 Wednesday, February 16, 2005