Five people have been arrested following a day of action for the forces in Ipswich.

The operation took place on Tuesday, October 22, aiming to disrupt and frustrate the activities of criminals, organised crime groups and people who commit offences across county borders.

One person was arrested on suspicion of overstaying in the UK and being wanted on warrant for failing to appear in court.

Four others were arrested on suspicion of overstaying in the UK and one for illegally working in the UK.

Not only this, officers from Suffolk Police aimed to identify criminals who used a mobile phone while driving, who drove under the influence of drink or drugs, speeding and not wearing a seatbelt.

101 vehicles were stopped and escorted back to the site and 102 Traffic Offence Reports were issued, including:

  • 24 for not wearing a seat belt

  • 17 for tinted windows

  • 10 for using a mobile phone while driving

  • Seven for having overweight loads

  • Six for illegal tyres

  • Five for insecure loads

  • Five for no insurance

  • Four for illegal exhausts

  • Three for being in a dangerous condition

  • Three for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence

Sgt Julian Ditcham, Roads Policing (Image: Lucy Taylor) Sgt Julian Ditcham from Roads Policing added: “These days provide us with a great opportunity to detect vehicles with defects and remove unsafe vehicles from the roads, while also enforcing the ‘Fatal 4’ main causes of fatal or serious collisions.

“It is important for people to realise that road safety is everyone’s responsibility – an unroadworthy vehicle can be the cause of a serious collision, as can a driver using a mobile phone, or someone not wearing a seat belt.

“We will continue to hold these days of action to make our roads safer for everyone and to locate and detain anyone committing any criminal offences.”

Partner agencies present included:

The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), who issued seven immediate prohibitions, six delayed prohibitions and 27 advisory notices.

The Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), who clamped eight vehicles for no tax and issued six warnings, collecting £2560 in fines.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), which challenged 37 vehicles for illegal fuel but found no offences.

The Home Office Immigration Enforcement conducted checks on 76 people and made five arrests.

The Environment Agency, Suffolk County Council Trading Standards, Ipswich Borough Council and CDER Group Debt Recovery.

Tim Passmore, Suffolk police and crime commissioner (Image: Archant) Suffolk police and crime commissioner Tim Passmore said: “Another very successful partnership day of action, with some great results. I'd like to say well done to everyone involved - working together to keep us safe on the county's roads.

"It really does amaze me how many drivers set off in defective vehicles or prepared to risk their lives, and the lives of others, but using their mobile phone or driving without a seat belt.

“I'm a huge fan of these targeted multi-agency operations. They are a clear, strong message to those involved in criminality and drivers who chose to flout the law by driving vehicles unfit for the road or being unfit to drive themselves, they stand a good chance of getting caught and if they are, appropriate action will be taken.”