Crackdown on illegal vehicles and drivers in Telford

Roadside checks were carried out on almost 50 vehicles on the A442 south of Telford.

Those carrying out inspections and talking to drivers were searching for unroadworthy vehicles, untaxed or uninsured vehicles, vehicles running on red diesel and people involved in rogue trading.

The operation close to Brockton, near Sutton Maddock, yesterday was a joint effort between West Mercia Police, Telford & Wrekin Council's trading standards department, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and HM Revenue & Customs.

Constable Lee Thomas from West Mercia Police said "Ourselves and colleagues from Warwickshire Police assisted by other agencies have carried out the operation with the intention of both making our roads a safer place and to target people involved in dubious business activities.

"The vast majority of vehicles stopped were checked by HM Revenue & Customs for the presence of red diesel, the specially dyed version of the fuel only for use in certain agricultural and off road circumstances. The DVSA conducted safety checks with regard to mechanical roadworthiness at the same time.

"While all this was happening, police officers present were carrying out checks to ensure the vehicles were properly taxed, insured and MOT'd and that the drivers documentation was all in order and Trading Standards Officers were carrying out their own enquiries into business activities as well."

As a result of the operation, dubbed Operation Mermaid, one vehicle was seized for having no insurance, with the driver also found to be disqualified from driving.

Two drivers were also reported for road tax offences.

Another driver, whose insurance had been cancelled by his providers over an issue with addresses was dealt with at the roadside and allowed to continue his journey after insuring his car over the phone.

One driver who was breathalised was found to have alcohol in their system but were under the drink drive limit.

Constable Thomas said they told officers they had drunk alcohol the night before and they had been on the road for a number of hours.

He said: "Many people do seem to be unaware that alcohol takes time to both absorb into and leave the body and quite often, although you may not have consumed alcohol for many hours you can still have enough alcohol still inside you to put you over the drink drive limit.

"This is an especially important message to get over with the Christmas party season approaching and the only real option if you are going to be drinking is not to drive, either on the night or the following morning if it is at all possible – you might still be over the limit."