Four arrests made and over 50 vehicles stopped during multi-agency day of action in Eye

Four people were arrested, more than 50 vehicles were stopped and over 25 Traffic Offence Reports were issued, during a multi-agency day of action in Eye earlier this month.

The operation took place on Wednesday 5 November, with the aim of disrupting and frustrating the activities of criminals, including organised crime groups, who commit offences across county borders whilst using the road network.

This was intelligence-led and involved vehicles identified as being potentially involved in criminality being brought back to a check site at Eye Airfield, where police and partner agencies conducted checks of the vehicles and occupants.

Officers are also focused on all-round road safety and the fatal four offences of: drink/drug driving, driving whilst using a mobile phone, speeding, and not wearing a seat belt.

Anyone suspected of committing any of these offences was also stopped, along with people driving vehicles which were unroadworthy or had a defect. All of these actions serve towards making the county’s roads safer and reduce the likelihood of someone being killed or seriously injured by an illegally/unsafely driven or defective vehicle.

The Joint Roads and Armed Policing Team were assisted by officers from the Road Casualty Reduction Team, Commercial Vehicle Unit (CVU), Response Investigation Team, Community Policing Team and the Intelligence Development Unit; along with police staff colleagues from the Modern Day Slavery Team and the Safety Camera Team.

Partner agencies present included: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA); HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC); Home Office Immigration Enforcement; Environment Agency; Mid Suffolk Council Taxi Licensing; Tilly Pass trailer inspections; and Marston debt recovery.

Four people were arrested as follows: one on suspicion of handling stolen goods, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance; and three for immigration offences.

In respect of the arrest for handling stolen goods, officers had cause to search the suspect’s vehicle and nine brand new smartphones were found inside, with no explanation provided as to where they had come from. The investigation is currently ongoing with enquiries being made with partner agencies and other forces.

55 vehicles in total were escorted back to the check site, with 23 leaving clear of any offences.

27 Traffic Offence Reports were issued at the check site, including: six for tinted windows; five for number plate offences; three for insecure loads; two for excess loads; two for no insurance; two for no driving licence; two for not wearing a seat belt; and one each for not being in proper control; careless driving; no MOT; and a wide load not correctly marked.

The CVU dealt with several HGVs for various offences and issued fines totalling £5,400.

Five people were breathalysed for drink-driving all of which were negative. Three vehicles were seized, two for no insurance and one for being in a dangerous condition.

The Safety Camera Team conducted speed checks in Eye and the surrounding villages and detected 24 offences.

Immigration Enforcement arrested three people of overstaying their visas; DVSA conducted checks on 43 vehicles; HMRC challenged 18 vehicles checking for illegal fuel and no offences were found. 

Tilly Pass conducted checks on four trailers and Marston debt recovery stopped three vehicles and collected £3,500.

PC Rahul Agravat, of the Roads and Armed Policing Team, said: “This location provides us with the opportunity to conduct enforcement in and around the A140, which after county’s dual carriageways is one of the next busiest roads.

“Although the majority of offences identified during these days are motoring ones, we always hope to disrupt criminals using the road network and so the arrest on suspicion of handling stolen goods has provided a promising line of investigation.

“It is incumbent on all road users to adhere to the law and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and being driven in a safe manner. We use these days of action to shine a spotlight on these issues and hope they can help to educate drivers of the risks, but our officers are out doing this work 365 days a year.”

Tim Passmore, Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Once again I would like to thank all involved in this multi-agency day of action. The results speak for themselves and that is why initiatives like this are so important. Keeping our roads safe and the traffic flowing is vital.

“The cavalier attitude of some road users is completely beyond the pale, putting other road users and themselves at risk which in my view is extremely selfish. The culprits deserve to be caught and punished accordingly.

“It is also worth pointing out that these days of action also help bring criminals to justice which I fully support and once again I trust they will be sanctioned accordingly and put out of business.”