30 Sep #Southend: Arrests & cars seized during road policing operation
Six people were arrested and 11 vehicles seized during a road safety operation in Southend yesterday.
Officers from the Casualty Reduction Unit worked with colleagues from the Safer Essex Roads Partnership and HMRC to detect offenders using the roads and increase road safety.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology was used to identify suspect vehicles which were then intercepted and taken to stop-check sites on the A127 and London Road.
Six men were arrested after the vehicles in which they were travelling activated ANPR cameras.
Three men were arrested on suspicion of burglary in connection with a distraction burglary in Credo Way, Grays on September 23, 2016 in which a woman in her 60s was conned out of a four-figure sum of cash and had jewellery stolen.
A 28-year-old man from Dorchester, a 20-year-old man from Basildon and a 25-year-old man from Worcestershire were arrested on suspicion of burglary on the A127 at Southend at 2.25pm. The 25-year-old man was also found to be driving without a valid MOT and arrested on suspicion of driving without insurance. All of the men have been released on bail pending further enquiries November 24, 2016.
A 35-year-old man from London was arrested at 1.40pm after officers discovered he was wanted by the Metropolitan Police for failing to appear at court in connection with a suspected drink driving offence. The man was detained to appear in court this morning (Thursday, September 29, 2016).
A 55-year-old man from Leigh was arrested at around 2pm on suspicion of drug driving. Officers also later discovered he was wanted on warrant for failing to appear at court in connection with possession of class A drugs. The man was detained to appear in court in connection with the warrant and released on bail pending further enquiries until October 28 on suspicion of drug driving.
A 47-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested at London Road at 11.45am. He was later charged with assault and obstructing a police officer in the execution of their duty and is due to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court this morning (Thursday, September 29, 2016). He was also arrested on suspicion of driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs, driving without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with the terms of his licence. He has been released on bail on suspicion of these offences until November 14, 2016.
A number of road safety offences were also detected during the operation.
Seventy people were found not to be wearing a seatbelt including two children under the age of 12 whose guardians had failed to ensure they were secure.
A total of 34 drivers were dealt with for using a mobile phone behind the wheel and 26 for speed offences.
Eleven drivers were found not to have appropriate insurance and had their vehicles seized while nine were found not to have a valid MOT.
Two drivers were found to be driving otherwise than in accordance of the terms of their licence and five were dealt with for careless driving.
Sgt David Rudd from the Casualty Reduction Unit said: “These results show why we continue to run road safety operations on the roads of Essex in association with our partners. Unfortunately we continue to deal with irresponsible drivers who fail to abide by the law by using a mobile phone behind the wheel or refusing to wear a seatbelt.
“Although equally as important, these operations are not just about detecting driving offences. They’re about detecting and deterring crime and ANPR is a crucial tool in helping us to do that.
“Yesterday a number of suspected offenders were arrested as a result of ANPR technology. Innocent members of the public have nothing to worry about but ANPR continues to make it more difficult for suspected criminals to operate in our county and get away with their crimes.”
