Thirteen arrests as North-East police forces unite to drive criminals off the roads (From The Northern Echo)

Thirteen arrests as North-East police forces unite to drive criminals off the roads

12:10pm Thursday 18th March 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

THREE police forces united to target travelling criminals and dangerous vehicles being used on the region's roads.

The Durham, Cleveland and Northumbria forces took part in a three day operation using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to deal with dangerous, untaxed and uninsured vehicles and criminal activity.

As a result, police stopped 104 vehicles, made 13 arrests and seized ten vehicles.

The arrests included three people arrested after a bag of white powder was found in a vehicle; three for shoplifting; one for dangerous driving, no insurance and no licence; two for disqualified driving; one on an outstanding warrant; and three for possession of an offensive weapon and theft.

Of the ten vehicles seized all were for no insurance apart from one seized for a non-disabled person driving a converted vehicle and two seized following arrests for disqualified driving.

In additional, 35 vehicles were clamped by the DVLA for having no tax. Detective Superintendent Steve Howes of the North East Serious and Organised Crime Unit said: "This was a multi-agency operation involving the police, Vehicle Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and the Driver Vehicles Licensing Agency (DVLA) to tackle dangerous vehicles which pose a threat to other road users.

"Officers know that criminals use the roads during their criminal activities and frequently drive without road tax, driving licence or insurance. By targeting these individuals and seizing their vehicles we are effectively denying criminals the use of the roads.

"This makes it safer for other law abiding drivers, it reassures the public that this police activity benefits them, and helps us to prevent crime.

"The operation was a great success and a good example of partnership working. During the three days we seized a number of cars and made a number of arrests, sending out a clear warning - drive illegally in our region and you'll be stopped by the police and it could cost you a great deal."