Multi-Agency Road Operation In Shropshire

Burglars and rogue traders were among those targeted during a multi-agency stop-check operation on one of Shropshire's main roads.

Scores of motorists were stopped during the checks carried out by police and other enforcement agencies on the A41 near Whitchurch yesterday.

Road safety was another key issue for the organisations, especially as several motorists have been killed or seriously injured on main roads in the area during recent years.

Police Collision Investigator, PC Nik Stafford, who was one of the organisers, said: "The operation went very well with the majority of road users appreciating the purpose of the exercise.

"With regard to road safety, the A41/A49 is a target route for the police where we spend time to try to reduce the number of casualties."

He said other organisations involved were the Vehicle and Operator Service Agency (VOSA), Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, Shropshire Trading Standards and Shropshire Council's Animal Welfare department.

Seven vehicles received "prohibitions" for various faults including defective tyres and for towing trailers not correctly connected.  They cannot be driven again until the faults are rectified.

Penalty tickets were issued for offences including speeding and not having an MoT certificate and Trading Standards staff checked a large number of trader's vehicles to make sure they were genuine operators.  They also checked the validity of waste carrier licences, in particular, seeking any stolen metal.

Animal Welfare staff checked 22 livestock vehicles and found five did not have correct documentation and one failed cleaning and disinfecting standards.

PC Stafford added: "Members of West Mercia Police Force Operations Support Team frequently carry out road checks, often with our partner agencies, seeking to disrupt travelling criminals and to stop drivers who compromise the safety of other road users."

Issued: Thursday, 11 October 2012