Vehicle checks net two banned drivers

Sep 11 2007 By Leda Reynolds, Birmingham Mail

A MAJOR police crackdown on illegal drivers saw more than 100 vehicles stopped and two people arrested in Solihull.

The operation saw 109 vehicles halted in the large exercise by Solihull Council, West Midlands Police, Immigration, DVLA, Customs and Excise, the Fire and Rescue Service and warrant officers from Solihull Magistrates Court.

The council says the aim of Operation Radent, on roads surrounding the NEC, was to disrupt crime and gather intelligence on people breaching the law.

Police used hi-tech automatic number plate recognition equipment to check cars, taxis, trucks and lorries for tax and insurance, outstanding fines and those who had warrants for their arrests.

Those picked out were escorted back to the car park to be inspected. Two people were arrested for driving while disqualified.

Following the swoop, four vehicles were seized for having no insurance, three were seized for having no tax and three taxis were found to be prohibited while two drivers were committing badge offences and a further five are set to be called back for a re-inspection.

The blitz also netted seven vehicles which were found to be overloaded and one driver was issued with a fixed penalty notice and reported to DVLA for a number plate offence.

Two drivers were given fixed penalties and three points on their licence for having defective tyres and two had illegally tinted windows but the drivers escaped a fine as they were able to remove them. Police also checked 11 satellite navigation systems but were all found to be correct.

Naz Pathan, senior licensing officer with Solihull trading standards and licensing, said the vehicles declared prohibited now had to undergo a full MoT test and a certificate has to be produced at a police station within ten days.

He said all drivers who went through the check site must also take their documents to a police station.

"This was another worthwhile exercise which achieved some excellent results which can be shared with other law enforcement bodies," said Mr Pathan.

"By working together and sharing our skills and expertise, we can play our part in making Solihull and the wider West Midlands region a safer place to live, work and travel."