Police turn attention to illegal CV activity
More than 50 commercial vehicles were stopped by police during an operation focused on illegal activity in Newport, Shropshire last month. West Mercia police said a number of people were spoken to in relation to false number plates, incorrect insurance and other motoring offences. One vehicle was seized for a bald tyre and no insurance; another vehicle was found to be using red diesel and paid the associated costs to HMRC. Department of Work and Pensions officers spoke with 54 people, which resulted in three referrals made for potential benefit fraud.
PC Sharon Major from West Mercia Police’s Problem Solving Hub based in Telford said: “This particular operation focused mainly on looking at a variety of commercial vehicles, including taxis and lorries, for compliance in all areas such as vehicle defects, driver and passenger eligibility to work, and safe carriage of goods.”
Richard Overton, deputy leader and cabinet member for housing, enforcement and transport at Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “We’re checking that the food coming into the borough is being transported in clean conditions and is stored at the right temperature; that waste carriers aren’t fly-tipping; and giving traders advice and information on how to comply with the law.”
