Joint Operation Takes Place to Tackle Dangerous Vehicles and Organised Criminals

A joint operation has taken place checking commercial vehicles at Teesport with agencies including Cleveland Police, North Yorkshire Police, Harbour Police, Driving Standards Agency (DVSA), Environment Agency and Immigration Enforcement.

Partner agencies joined together on Monday 11^th March, where 17 vehicles were stopped and subject to a full inspection.

Officers checked seven dangerous goods vehicles whereby issues were found with drivers hours, lack of required PPE, documentation and one prohibition issued for cracks to the chassis of a dangerous goods vehicle trailer. Two vehicles were found to be in order.

Of ten non-dangerous goods vehicles inspected, there were prohibitions issued for drivers hours, a brake fluid leak and defective brake lights, defective indicator lights on a HGV. Four vehicles were found to be in order.

Officers searching a light goods vehicle found the remnants of a cannabis farm including plant bases and bags containing cannabis leaf. Two males were arrested on suspicion of drugs offences and will also be dealt with by Immigration Enforcement.

The driver of the vehicle was also arrested on suspicion of drug driving.

The vehicle was found to have numerous mechanical defects and an immediate prohibition was issued by the DVSA.

Acting Inspector Laura Black from Cleveland Police said: “It is really important that we continue to come together with partner agencies to carry out operations like this one; where we can target organised criminals using our road networks and ensure that vehicles are safe to be using our roads, to protect the public and also ensure that criminal offences are dealt with appropriately.”

Inspector Clive Turner from North Yorkshire Police added: "Working with our partners, we want to show the hauliers and commercial vehicle drivers who follow the law and maintain their fleet that we are here to target those who do not.

“Improving safety on our roads is a priority and we will continue to hold these days of action to ensure people using our roads are doing so both legally and responsibly.

“I hope that this joint operation will make irresponsible drivers think twice before getting behind the wheel."

*** Photo (L-R) PC Graham Fisher from Cleveland Police, Sergeant Andy Morton from North Yorkshire Police, Luke Austin from Immigration Enforcement and PC Adrian Berryman from Harbour Police. ***