A CLAMPDOWN on morning-after drink drivers and illegal motors has resulted in the seizure of five vehicles and the arrest of one man for going equipped for burglary.

Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit (CDSOU) focused on a number of areas including drink and drug driving, distraction, speed enforcement, casualty reduction, insurance and driving licence offences and the wider criminal use of Cleveland’s roads.

Early morning motorists were pulled over in Billingham and on the Haverton Hill industrial estate between Stockton and Middlesbrough, to be breath tested or simply to have their documents check.

As part of the day long operation, a casualty reaction test was also held at Teesside Retail Park, testing shoppers’ reactions and using ‘beer goggles’ to highlight the effects of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Inspector Mick Robson, from the CDSOU, said: “The day of action will ultimately make our roads safer, either through enforcing legislation and taking the appropriate action against those who are not abiding by the law or educating drivers wherever it is suitable to do so.

“We will continue with these types of operations to ensure that our roads are as safe as possible and to deter and disrupt criminals from using our road network to carry out their crimes.

“We have carried out enforcement action and education activities today as part of a crackdown on the criminal use of our roads. As a result we have one man in custody and five vehicles which were not insured have been taken off our roads.

“The interaction which we carried out with members of the public at Teesside Retail Park was very well received and we will continue with operations like these to ensure the safety of Cleveland’s road users wherever possible and to deter, disrupt and detect crime.”

The day of action, which involved more than twenty officers, aims to prevent harm which saves lives and reduces casualties, deny criminals the use of the road network and also to enforce the law and educate drivers, which is hoped will influence their driving behaviour.

Lisa Daley, who was on her way to work at the RSPB’s Saltholme nature reserve, welcomed the operation.

“I think it is a great idea, I have no problem with being pulled over whatsoever,” she said. “This is the only way that we can get the message across that is isn’t acceptable to drink and drive.”