Police safety-checked 105 vans in Northampton crackdown .. more than 50% FAILED

Officers find 21 dangerous vehicles driving around industrial estate
Police put 105 vans through rigorous safety checks during an early-morning operation in BrackmillsPolice put 105 vans through rigorous safety checks during an early-morning operation in Brackmills
Police put 105 vans through rigorous safety checks during an early-morning operation in Brackmills

More than half the vans checked FAILED safety checks during a dawn crackdown in a Northampton industrial estate.

A shocking 58 out of 105 vehicles were dealt with for various traffic offences — with 30 being taken off the road — during the Operation Journey swoop.

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Officers issued 21 with immediate prohibition notices for being in a dangerous condition while nine vehicles were seized for having no tax, insurance or licence.

Nine more vehicles had dodgy tyres and one an illegal number plate; two were being driven in an anti-social manner, while MoTs had expired on two of the vans.

Nine drivers and one passenger were ticketed for not wearing seatbelts, six drivers had no insurance and three were unlicensed.

Those flouting the law have been reported for the offences and will be offered the opportunity to take an online education course if eligible, receive a fixed penalty fine or if preferred, the option to go to court.

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A 28-year-old from Romania was arrested on suspicion of driving while disqualified and has since been released under police investigation pending further enquiries.

PC Dave Lee of Northamptonshire Police’s Safer Road Team, said: “Improving road safety is a key priority for the Force, which is why it is important we continue to work with our partner agencies to make our roads safer for everyone.

“These checks help identify issues with vehicles, make sure they are resolved, and remind drivers and firms of their responsibilities to ensure vehicles are maintained and kept in a roadworthy condition.”

Vehicles issued with immediate prohibition are usually immobilised although some delayed prohibition notices allow the operator up to ten days for vehicles to be fixed.

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Officers from the Northamptonshire's Safer Roads Team and the Special Constabulary were backed up by the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency Enforcement and Highways England to carry out the safety checks between 5.30am and 9.30am, a total of 105 vans were stopped as they entered Brackmills.

Officers looked for load issues as well as checking fuel, tax, insurance, tyres and the vehicle’s general condition.

Operation Journey was launched in October as a three-month campaign which aims to focus on different road users in a bid to improve road safety and reduce the number of people who are killed or seriously injured on the county’s roads.