Operation Pad drives criminals off the road

A multi-agency* crackdown on criminals and illegal or unroadworthy vehicles using roads in Wigan and Leigh has resulted in 16 arrests.

Police officers involved in Operation Pad used Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) equipment to arrest people for offences including burglary, robbery, drink driving, disqualified driving and drugs offences.

During the initiative, which ran from 6 to 31 May, 1,976 vehicles were stopped by police, and 150 of these were seized by police and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for having false number plates or no insurance or licence.

Police also issued 532 non-endorsable and 63 endorsable fixed-penalty notices as well as 104 court summons for various offences.

In addition, officers from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) checked 779 vehicles, with 11 commercial vehicles and two private vehicles being suspected of illegal fuel use.

So far HMRC have charged £5,000 in penalties and further enquiries are ongoing.

Good results were also achieved by other agencies, with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency issuing 25 prohibition notices for unroadworthy vehicles and Drakes Court Warrants recovering over £6,300 in outstanding fines.

Sergeant Garry Lyle of GMP’s Leigh Road Policing Unit said:

“This operation has proved that proactive policing of the roads can dramatically reduce criminal activity, and we will continue to run similar initiatives in future to reassure people that we are constantly targeting criminals who blight communities.”

Dave Gostelow of HMRC added: “HMRC were pleased to join this exercise, demonstrating yet again that regional agencies working together can share intelligence and resources to tackle fraud across the region. Together, we are able to disrupt criminal activity, while supporting and protecting the local community and honest traders. HMRC officers were specifically checking for the abuse of rebated oils such as red diesel or kerosene, and the use of laundered fuel, where they suspect duty and VAT is being evaded.

“Motorists need to be aware of the full costs of using or buying cheap diesel. It puts honest filling stations out of business, robs the taxpayer of money for public services and puts the motorist’s vehicle at risk of serious engine damage. I would urge members of the public, haulage operators or fuel retailers to contact the Customs hotline on 0800 59 5000 and let us know of any suspicious activities in their area.”

* Operation Pad involved GMP’s Leigh Road Policing Unit, HM Revenue & Customs, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and Drakes Court Warrants.

For further information contact: Max Bowie, GMP Public Relations Officer, on 0161 856 2761 / 2284 or 07979 706797