Big police operation on North Shropshire roads

Motorists flouting the law on north Shropshire's main roads have been targeted in a major police operation.

More than 100 vehicles were stopped, one man arrested, three vehicles seized, one lorry impounded and fixed penalty tickets issued last night.

Operation Compound involved about 30 police officers from Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire stopping drivers on the A41, A53 and A49.

They said a similar operation could be held next month in a different area of the county.

Police were joined by representative from trading standards, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency and Shropshire Council's benefit fraud team.

The operation followed a string of complaints from residents worried about speeding drivers.

Police checked the roadworthiness of vehicles, targeted speeding and issued prohibition notices.

Speeding

They also used automatic number plate recognition equipment as part of the operation, centred around a temporary base at Barber's Livestock Market in Market Drayton.

Constable Mick Sturland, local policing officer for Market Drayton, said: "The operation originated following fears from local people over speeding motorists and we thought by working with our colleagues across the border and other agencies it would be more effective.

"The idea was that police would stop suspicious vehicles on the side of the road and take them back to our base site at the lorry park to have further checks done by the other agencies and dealt with accordingly.

"We have targeted all motorists, including motorbikes, vans and livestock lorries, and hope by having a large police presence we have got the message across.

"We want people to know we are out there policing the road to reduce crime."

Incidents included a man pulled over on the A41 because police suspected his vehicle did not appear to have any insurance. He was arrested after checks revealed he was wanted for a number of driving offences.

A young woman in a car caught doing 40mph in a 30mph zone in Market Drayton was given a warning.

A man in a white van was also stopped by police in Market Drayton because his vehicle appeared to have deficiencies. It was found the vehicle was illegally filled with red diesel and was confiscated.

By James Pugh