Sixty Stopped In Police Operation

8 July 2013, 11:44 | Updated: 8 July 2013, 12:09

Police have stopped over 60 vehicles in Watford as part of a large scale operation tackling driving offences.

Officers from the North Watford Safer Neighbourhood Team joined forces with partner agencies to hold a large scale operation to identify and deter criminals travelling into Watford in an operation held on Friday 5th July.

Between 7am and 2pm teams of officers were out in the area near to the Dome Roundabout in Watford, pulling over vehicles which were flagged up on the ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Reader) system as well as drivers who were believed to be breaking the law. 

Throughout the course of the day over 60 vehicles were stopped and checked for roadworthiness, illegal diesel and other offences. Hertfordshire Trading Standards were also checking traders to ensure they were operating legitimately.

Results:
Four vehicles were found to be in a dangerous condition and were prohibited from being driven until the defects were repaired.

Four vehicles did not have an MOT, incurring the owners a £60 fine

Three vehicles were seized as a result of the driver driving without a licence.

Seven vehicles were not insured, incurring the owner a fine and the vehicles seized.

Two vehicles were issued with Environmental Health producers. 

Eight drivers were given £60 fixed penalty notices for various offences including no tax, driving without wearing a seatbelt and defective tyres.     

Seven traders were given business advice from Trading Standards officers to make them compliant with consumer legislation.

 Neighbourhood PC David Stansbury led the operation and said: “The aim of this operation was to join together with other agencies to disrupt potential offenders planning to commit crime in Watford and surrounding areas. We know criminals tend to travel through area so we were positioned in one of the busiest areas in Watford to ensure maximum results.

“This was a fantastic success and the results speak for themselves, with a large number of vehicles seized and offences recorded.

“I hope the public area reassured by this operation. We will continue to carry out this activity with our partners to keep people safe.”

About ANPR
ANPR devices work by scanning vehicle registrations and checking them against
information stored in databases, including the Police National Computer, to identify vehiclesof interest to the police, such as stolen cars or those involved in crimes.

When a suspicious vehicle is recognised it can be the focus of targeted interception and enquiries.