Seven arrests made and 100 vehicles checked during day of action in Newmarket

Seven people were arrested and 100 vehicles were escorted back to a check site – with only 11 leaving clear of any offences – during a multi-agency day of action led by the Roads and Armed Policing Team in Newmarket.

The operation took place on Friday, May 27, with the aim of disrupting and frustrating the activities of criminals, including organised crime groups, who commit offences across county borders while using the road network.

Vehicles identified as being potentially involved in criminality were brought back to a check site in George Lambton Avenue, where police officers and partner agencies conducted checks of the vehicles and occupants.

Officers are also focused on all-round road safety and the fatal four offences of drink/drug driving, driving while using a mobile phone, speeding, and not wearing a seatbelt.

Anyone suspected of committing any of these offences was also stopped, along with people driving vehicles which were unroadworthy or had a defect.

The operation was carried-out by officers from the Roads and Armed Policing Team, Road Casualty Reduction Team, Sentinel Team, Commercial Vehicle Unit, with support from the colleagues in the Modern Slavery Team and Safety Camera Partnership.

Partner agencies present included the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC); Home Office Immigration Enforcement; the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB); and West Suffolk Council Waste Enforcement officers and Taxi Licensing.

Seven people were arrested in total: five on suspicion of drug driving (four for cocaine and one for cannabis); one on suspicion of driving while disqualified and one on suspicion of possession of cannabis.

A total of 100 vehicles were escorted back to the check site, with just 11 leaving clear of any offences.

105 Traffic Offence Reports were issued, including 32 for not wearing a seatbelt; 18 for illegal number plates; 12 for using a mobile phone; 11 for an insecure load; 10 for tinted windows; four for being overweight; three for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, and two for no insurance.

The partner agencies made numerous checks and interactions, including offences covering taxi licences, unregistered waste carrying, waste enforcement follow-ups and the use of red diesel in vehicles.

The Safety Camera Partnership conducted checks in 12 locations in the Newmarket area and detected 71 offences.

Sergeant Julian Ditcham, of the Roads and Armed Policing Team, said: “This comprehensive day of action shows how effective we can be when we work with a wide range of partners to thwart criminal behaviour and make sure vehicles and their owners comply with the law. This helps to keep our roads safer places for everyone.”