Criminals targeted in Craven Arms multi-agency operation
A police-led multi-agency road operation disrupting criminal activity and improving road safety saw 86 vehicles stopped in Craven Arms last week.
The seven-hour operation took place on the A49 at Craven Arms last Thursday.
Sergeant Adrian Woolley of West Mercia Police said it was the latest in a continuing series of road checks throughout the area focussing on disrupting travelling criminals and targeting illegal use of vehicles.
A police team made up of local officers, community support officers, members of the Special Constabulary and a vehicle examiner was supported by partner organisations including Shropshire Trading Standards, the Benefits agency and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).
Sergeant Woolley said: “The operation went very well with the majority of road users appreciating the purpose of the exercise. With regard to road safety, the A49 is a target route for the police where we spend time to try to reduce the number of casualties.
“A number of motorists were penalised for various offences including some which compromised road safety for themselves and other road users.”
Sixteen drivers were issued with Vehicle Defect Rectification Scheme notices to fix defects within 14 days. Another 15 were given verbal warnings for minor defects.
A further six defects were detected by VOSA together with a tachograph offence and an operator’s licence offence. Offences were also detected by trading standards and the Benefits agency.
Sergeant Woolley added: “Whenever we carryout road operations like this, a vast amount of useful intelligence is gained. The whole purpose is focussed on disrupting travelling criminals and to make motorists more safety-conscious thereby reducing the number of road collisions, including fatalities.”
