Twelve arrested during days of action to target fraudulent documents on Suffolk’s roads

An operation targeting fraudulent driving licences and documents being used on Suffolk’s road network led to 14 vehicles being seized and 12 people being arrested.

Operation Foxtail took place in Ipswich on Friday, March 6, and Barton Mills, on Friday, March 20.

The days of action are planned to disrupt organised and serious crime on Suffolk’s roads.

These days are funded by the Home Office Invigor fund which focuses on organised immigration crime road operations.

Officers from the Roads and Armed Policing Team (RAPT), Scorpion West team, County Policing Command and Sentinel teams were joined by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU).

In Ipswich four people were arrested on suspicion of:

• Obstruction of police and false details: one; and
• Immigration offences: three

There were nine vehicles seized, while 22 Traffic Offence Reports were issued for the following offences during the operation:

• No driving license;
• No insurance;
• Overweight load;
• No seatbelt;
• Unrestrained child;
• Cracked windscreen;
• Illegal tyres; and
• Illegal tints.

In Barton Mills eight people were arrested, five on suspicion of immigration offences, with three people arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Five vehicles were seized, while six Traffic Offence Reports were issued for the following offences during the operation:

• No driving license;
• Danger of vehicle causing injury;
• Illegal window tints; and
• No seatbelt.

Speaking about the days of action, PC Josh Preston of the Roads and Armed Policing team, who is leading Operation Foxtail said: “Each time we run these days of action we catch people using false documents, driving illegally and driving unsafe vehicles.

“Therefore, it is important that we keep up the pressure to keep catching those using our roads unsafely and those involved in criminal activity.

“By being proactive, hopefully we drive positive change and ensure our roads and our communities are safer for everyone.

“The dual benefit of crime disruption and safety promotion makes this strategy a valuable tool in modern policing.”