Police target illegal activity on roads network

A multi-agency operation led by the Plymouth based No Excuse roads policing and rural engagement teams has targeted illegal activity on the roads in and around Plymouth.

Operation Juggler ran from 8am to 5pm on Friday 27th April with a vehicle checking point at Agaton Fort and mobile units in the A38 bridge and St Budeaux areas

Police officers from local policing teams, the Alliance roads policing team and police vehicle examiners and ANPR operators were joined by staff from the Environment Agency, Plymouth Trading Standards, HMRC Road Fuel Testing Unit, Plymouth City Council Taxi Licensing and scrap metal licensing officers. Over 75 vehicle PNC checks led to:

12 vehicles being checked by the police vehicle examiner.

9 vehicles were dipped for red diesel by staff from her majesties Revenue and Customs (HMRC)

The Environment Agency searched and checked 4 waste carriers.

1 vehicle was seized for having no insurance.

1 vehicle was overweight and had to have its load split before it continued.  The driver was reported for the offence.

1 vehicle was prohibited due to its dangerous condition.

1 taxi had a defective tyre. Plymouth taxi licensing staff temporarily seized the operator's licence.

Drivers of vehicles were also dealt with for excessive window tints, having no road tax and for having vehicles in a dangerous condition. One driver had to leave his mini digger behind before driving back out of the force area due to insufficient towing safeguards

Response Sergeant Colin Strachan said: “We stopped and spoke with a large number of drivers during the operation. Supported by our partner agencies, the aim of the day was to target illegal activity on our roads and to support law-abiding road users.

“Additionally we were able to target advice on vehicle security in light of a recent spate of thefts of tools from trade and private vehicles, and to use Automatic Number plate Recognition (ANPR) data to target uninsured and untaxed vehicles which are commonly used by travelling criminals.”