A SAFETY crackdown is being launched on roads in Teesside.

Chemical tankers and light goods vans will be pulled over in a series of spot checks.

The multi agency checks will look at everything from drivers' hours, to mechanical faults, and include searches for stolen vans and lorries.

Traffic Police will be backed by members of the Stolen Vehicle Squad on the roads tomorrow.

They will work alongside experts from the Vehicle Inspectorate, Customs and Excise, the Benefits Agency, Immigration and Trading Standards.

Speaking before the launch of Operation Mermaid, Inspector Mick Bennett of Cleveland Police said: "The aim is road safety and casualty reduction. It's very important both with light goods vehicles and heavy goods vehicles that they are maintained to a very high standard - or the consequences could be fatal."

Cleveland police expect to pull over dozens of vehicles during the seven-hour-long checks period.

Insp Bennett said: "Similar operations in the past have proved successful and send a significant warning to those tempted to break the law, that it will not be tolerated."