OFFICERS from Cleveland Police Special Constabulary led a proactive traffic operation to tackle offenders using Hartlepool’s road networks this weekend (Saturday, March 27).

They were joined by colleagues from Hartlepool Borough Council as well as the town’s neighbourhood police team, as they focused their efforts on targeting vehicles of interest, looking at vehicle safety and roadworthiness, checking insurance and driving offence enforcement.

Their work also involved engaging with motorists and educating all drivers they dealt with during the operation.

The operation saw:

  • 53 vehicles stopped and two seized - one which was SORN and one for no insurance.
  • Nine breath tests conducted 
  • Two Traffic Offence Reports (TORs) issued – one for speeding and one for no insurance
  • Five Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) issued for various offences 
  • Three HORT1s issued - where drivers are required to produce documentation
  • 12 VDRS's (Vehicle defect Rectification Scheme) issued – these are used for defects such as cracked light lenses, blown bulbs, worn tyres or illegal number plates. 

Special Inspector Phill Brette from Hartlepool Neighbourhood Police team said: “This was a partnership operation alongside enforcement officers from Hartlepool Borough Council and my neighbourhood police team colleagues.

“The operation saw just over fifty vehicles stopped and a number of offences identified, including vehicles showing no insurance and others showing to be off the road (SORN). These vehicles were removed from the roads. 

“Drivers and riders who were stopped and found to have defects to their vehicles were given words of advice and documentation to ensure these defects are repaired. 

“I want to thank members of the public for their support whilst my officers were carrying out the operation.

“This type of operation does have an impact and are designed to make the roads safer and protect those drivers and riders who do pay insurance and tax and have valid driving documentation and it’s certainly something we’ll look at doing again.”

A Hartlepool Borough Council spokesperson said: “The Council, as a member of the integrated Hartlepool Community Safety Team, was pleased to be able to work with officers from Cleveland Police’s Special Constabulary on this joint operation.

“As part of ongoing efforts to tackle fly-tipping and littering, our enforcement officers had a specific interest in checking that vehicles carrying waste were correctly licensed and vehicles transporting waste were adequately covered. Most of the vehicles checked were properly authorised to carry waste, although two are subject to follow-up action.

“It is intended that similar operations will take place in the future, and we look forward to playing our part in them.”