ELEVEN people were arrested and more than 30 vehicles were seized during a major police operation in Thurrock yesterday, to improve road safety and detect travelling criminals.
Up to 200 officers were involved in the latest Operation Utah in which cars, vans and lorries were taken off main roads including the M25 and A13 for checks at Moto Services, Thurrock.
The operation was led by Essex Police and supported by officers from Kent, Hertfordshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire forces. Fixed and mobile Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras were used to identify cars linked to crime or being driven without insurance and other valid documents.
The arrests were for a range of offences including the supply and possession of class A and B drugs, thefts of cars, theft from cars and having CS gas spray as an offensive weapon. Two people wanted for earlier offences were also arrested.
A total of 32 vehicles were seized for having no insurance, including a car borrowed by a family heading from the Southend area for a camping holiday in the West Country. The car was taken to a pound until it could be insured.
One man from London, who was taken to the services area for having no insurance, managed to arrange cover over his mobile telephone as he queued to be checked by officers. He managed to avoid having his car seized but was still given a £200 fixed penalty notice and six penalty points for not being insured at the time he was first seen by police.
Road policing officers, who specialise in commercial vehicle checks issued 87 mechanical prohibitions on lorries found to have serious faults. They also found 334 driver hours irregularities.
A total of £14,000 was collected in Fixed Penalty Notices for all motoring offences detected. Sixteen people were also reported for other motoring offences.
Other agencies including the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), HM Revenue and Customs and Essex County Council’s road safety team were also involved in the operation.
HMRC investigated 17 people for benefits issues and two people were found to be illegally using red diesel in their vehicles. Two Customs seizures were also made.
Inspector Gerry Parker, who led the operation, said: “It was extremely successful and led to the detection of crimes and the arrest of people who were using our roads to commit crime. We have also helped to make the roads of Essex safer by removing uninsured and dangerous vehicles.
“The operation has also served to greatly to educate drivers and let them know that we will soon find them and fine them or take away their vehicles if they continue to break the law.”
