One arrest and vehicles seized in rural crime operation

A man was arrested for drug driving when rural crime team officers joined partners for a morning operation based at Hopwood Services at junction 2 of the M42.

The multi‑agency, proactive deployment on Friday (24 July) was focused on rural crime priorities including fly-tipping and waste crime, plant and trailer theft, wildlife offences, and vehicle‑based acquisitive crime.

The motorway location was the base for Op Cayenne so officers could target specific vehicles travelling to and from Worcestershire from the West Midlands due to intelligence that organised rural crime groups operate in this area.

Such groups can impact the West Mercia Police force area, particularly with acquisitive rural crime and waste crime so there was a focus on intercepting them as part of this operation, using ANPR and looking for vehicles of interest.

In addition to rural crime objectives, the operation addressed National Road Policing priorities by targeting commercial vehicles, untaxed vehicles and uninsured vehicles.

The rural crime team were supported by Safer Neighbourhood Team officers from the check site at Hopwood Services as roads policing teams and motorbike officers pulled in vehicles of interest off the M42 and the A441.

Partner agencies included Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) and Trading Standards officers targeting waste carriers, rogue traders and environmental crime; HMRC who looked for evasion of revenue and wage issues, and DVSA who were checking HGVs and driver compliance.

Our Rural and Business Crime Officers (RABOs) attended several farm locations that had experienced previous fly tipping activity on their land where they liaised with farmers and other members of the rural community.

A We Don’t Buy Crime Co-ordinator accompanied by SNT engaged with members of the public about personal safety, uses of Smart Water and how to keep their home safe while at Beckett’s Farm in Wythall.

The results from the day are as follows: -

• A total of 22 vehicles stopped.
• A 34-year-old man arrested on suspicion of drug driving and released under investigation.
• Three vehicles seized for either no tax or insurance or being unroadworthy.
• Multiple traffic offence report (TOR) tickets issued, and lots of advice given around the state of vehicles and safety advice.
• WRS and Trading Standards will be following up 12 issues with regards to waste carrier licences and waste transfer notice matters.
• HMRC’s National Minimal Wage Team will be following up two cases.

Inspector Billy Keys from the Prevention Hub South said: “Friday’s operation saw some pleasing results in our efforts to tackle rural and waste crime as well as checking commercial vehicles, working with our partner agencies.

“We based ourselves at Hopwood Services as such offenders use the M42 network to commit crime in parts of Worcestershire, often from organised groups based in the West Midlands.

“We did not identify any such individuals or groups on this occasion, but we will return to other locations soon and continue with our efforts to tackle and disrupt their criminal enterprises.

“A man was arrested for drug driving, three unroadworthy and illegal vehicles were seized, and multiple traffic offences were reported, further protecting road users in this area while our partners also identified potential offences they are now investigating.”