More than 80 vehicles were stopped and examined during a two-day roads policing operation in Rothwell and Northampton which resulted in 19 vehicle seizures, six arrests or out-of-court disposals and more than 90 traffic offences being dealt with.

The operation, which took place on Thursday and Friday last week (September 17 and 18), combined the force's Operation Methane team with a student officer roadside enforcement operation.

On Thursday, officers conducted checks at the Rothwell Truckstop near Junction 3 of the A14, alongside partners from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

The operation then moved to Bridge Street, Northampton, on Friday, providing enforcement activity across both the north and west of the county.

Checks were carried out at the A14 Truckstop near Rothwell

placeholder image — Checks were carried out at the A14 Truckstop near Rothwell

The additional support provided by student officers enabled police to significantly increase the number and range of vehicles checked, from scooters and cars through to heavy goods vehicles.

During the operation, officers identified several recurring issues relating to vehicle maintenance, particularly defective tyres and poor vehicle body condition.

Multiple 4x4 and trailer combinations were also found to be operating without the required tachograph equipment, raising concerns around compliance with drivers' hours regulations.

A total of 18 immediate prohibitions were issued for serious vehicle defects, including problems relating to load security, brakes and ABS systems, body damage, tyres, lighting, exhausts, steering and suspension, and missing wheel studs or bolts.

A further three delayed prohibitions were issued for warning lamp defects and tachograph faults.

Nineteen vehicles were seized for offences including having no insurance, driving without a licence, disqualified driving, no vehicle tax, and obstruction offences.

The operation also led to six arrests or out-of-court disposals, including one drink-driving offence, two drug-driving offences, two disqualified driving offences and one immigration offence.

More than 90 traffic offences were dealt with, including 12 defective tyre offences, nine no-insurance offences, six seatbelt offences, five no-tax offences and four no-MOT offences.

Officers also issued £1,300 in roadside fines to non-UK operators for load security, tachograph and operator licensing offences.

Operation Methane has been running since late 2021, while student officer traffic operations have been established since around 2016.

Combining the two initiatives has consistently delivered positive results, allowing experienced roads policing officers to work alongside student officers, providing both a strong enforcement capability and valuable learning opportunities.

Sergeant Chris Gray said: "This operation demonstrates the important work being carried out every day to keep Northamptonshire's roads safe.

"While the majority of motorists use our roads responsibly, the number of serious vehicle defects and driving offences identified during these two days highlights why proactive enforcement remains so important.

"Removing unsafe vehicles and unlawful drivers from the road network helps protect everyone who uses our roads.

"I am particularly pleased with the professionalism shown by both our roads policing officers and student officers, whose work not only delivered strong enforcement results but also provided valuable development opportunities for the next generation of officers.

"We will continue to target those who put themselves and others at risk through dangerous, illegal or irresponsible behaviour on our roads."