Nine arrests made and over 100 vehicles stopped during multi-agency day of action in the Ipswich area

Nine people were arrested, more than 100 vehicles were stopped and over 170 Traffic Offence Reports were issued, during a multi-agency day of action in and around Ipswich.

The operation took place on Friday 6 December, 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 the Copdock truck stop, 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.

Under the banner of Operation Alliance, the Joint Roads and Armed Policing Team were assisted by officers from the Road Casualty Reduction Team, Commercial Vehicle Unit, Police Dog Unit, Sentinel Team and Local Policing Team, along with police staff colleagues from the Modern Day Slavery Team and the Safety Camera Team.

Partner agencies present included the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC); Home Office Immigration Enforcement; Environment Agency; Babergh District Council; Suffolk County Council Trading Standards, Ipswich Borough Council Taxi Licensing, and Datatag.

Nine people were arrested as follows: six on suspicion of drug-driving; two for immigration offences; and one who was wanted on a warrant for failing to appear at court.

105 vehicles were escorted back to the check site, with just 24 leaving clear of any offences.

80 Traffic Offence Reports were issued at the check site, including: 15 for overweight vehicles; 15 for tinted windows; nine for number plate offences; seven for illegal tyres; seven for not wearing a seat belt; five for using a mobile phone; four for an insecure load; three for no insurance; three for defective lights; two for tachograph offences; two for illegal exhaust; one each for being in a dangerous condition, not being in proper control and second coupling.

53 people were breathalysed for drink-driving – all of which were negative - and 42 people were tested for drug-driving, six of which were positive (as per arrest details above).

The Safety Camera Team deployed to roads in the surrounding area, detecting a total of 91 speeding offences. This brought the total number of TORs issued as part of the overall operation to 171.

The DVSA issued five prohibitions and three vehicles were seized. HMRC challenged 45 vehicles checking for illegal fuel and no offences were found.  

Immigration Enforcement made two arrests and issued a fine of £45,000; the Environment Agency checked 17 vehicles; and Environmental Health checked 18 vehicles.    

Sergeant Alex Kelly, of the Roads and Armed Policing Team, said: “This was a highly productive day of action with 81 of the 105 vehicles escorted back to the check site recording offences of some description.

“The nine arrests made demonstrate how important these days are. The fact that six were for drug-driving – coming during the first week of our Christmas drink and drug driving campaign – highlights just how many people are out acting recklessly and risking the lives of others on the roads.

“We saw some staggering examples of vehicles that were overweight or with insecure loads. These are not trivial offences - if involved in a collision they could cause a huge amount of damage or worse.

“We are grateful to our colleagues from across our own organisation, along with all those from our neighbouring forces and partner agencies for helping to make Operation Alliance such a success once again.”

Tim Passmore, Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Once again this day of action has been a tremendous success.

“Why any road user thinks it is acceptable to take drugs and drive is completely beyond the comprehension of any normal law-abiding person.   The same applies to dangerous loads or those who fail to maintain their vehicles properly – there can be no excuse for such irresponsible behaviour.

“Well done to all involved in running the day of action – it really does help make Suffolk’s roads safer and help keep traffic flowing.”