Over 80 vehicles checked and nine arrests made during day of action

Nine people were arrested and over 80 vehicles were checked during a multi-agency day of action in Haverhill earlier this week.

The operation took place on Tuesday, October 25, with the aim of disrupting and frustrating the activities of criminals, including organised crime groups, who commit offences across county borders whilst using the road network.

Vehicles identified as being potentially involved in criminality were brought back to a check site at Meadows car park in the town where police and partner agencies conducted checks of the vehicles and occupants.

The operation was carried-out by officers from the Roads and Armed Policing Team, Road Casualty Reduction Team, Commercial Vehicle Unit, Sentinel Team and the Modern Slavery Team. The Safety Camera Team were also deployed to various locations nearby to detect any speeding offences.

Partner agencies present were Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA); Driver & Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA); Home Office Immigration Enforcement; Environment Agency; Datatag; Suffolk Trading Standards; CDER Group, Gangmasters Licensing Agency; and Tilley Trailers

In total 81 vehicles were escorted back to the site, with just seven leaving clear of any offences. Six vehicles were seized.

The nine arrests were made for three suspected cocaine and cannabis drug driving offences; four for suspected cannabis drug driving offences; and two others for immigration offences.

A total of 100 Traffic Offence Reports (TORs) were issued including 11 for no seatbelt; eight for having an insecure load; 17 for registration plate offences; 11 for overweight vehicles; 21 for tinted windows; three for dangerous condition; seven for no insurance; and 10 for no MOT.

Nineteen people were breathalysed – all of which were negative – and 11 people were tested for drugs, seven of which were positive.

Overweight vehicle fines totalling  £2,700 were also issued.

The Suffolk Safety Camera Partnership deployed to five sites around the town and detected 35 speeding offences.

The DVLA issued one vehicle with an immediate prohibition order, six were issued with a delayed prohibition notice and seven other vehicles were issued with advisory notices.

Home Office Immigration Officers conducted 10 checks, resulting in two arrests, one for a visa breach and one for illegal entry (referenced above).

CDER Group issued one fine and recovered £740 for a London emission charge, while Tilley Trailers identified six offences and provided valuable advice and guidance to other motorists.

Sergeant Julian Ditcham, of the Roads and Armed Policing Team, said: “This was another hugely successful day of action, although it was disappointing to see just seven vehicles of the 81 stopped leave the site clear. The figures speak for themselves and demonstrate how we remain determined to work closely with our agency partners to ensure the road network in Suffolk remains a hostile place for criminality of any description.

“We will continue to hold these operations on a regular basis, to target criminals who either reside in the county, or are travelling through, and also to remove unsafe vehicles and people driving illegally, making Suffolk a safer place to live for everyone.”