Motorists stopped in road checks

Drivers were stopped and checked in the joint operation

A major road check operation in Kent has seen 85 drivers stopped by police.

A total of 6,943 vehicles were checked by automatic number plate readers (APNR) on the A256 Sandwich Road during the multi-agency stop check on Friday.

As a result 11 motorists were found to have untaxed vehicles and two people had their benefits withdrawn straight away with other offenders also caught.

Kent Police, Thanet council, the DVLA and Department for Work and Pensions, joined forces for the operation.

Rectify defects

Vehicles were initially checked by the APNR, then scrutinised further where necessary by the other agencies.

Pc Dave Knox from Thanet police said: "Although both Thanet police and South East Kent Police regularly hold these road checks, this is the first time in a few years that we have worked together on such a large scale.

"The results of the operation prove such cross-border co-operation works,

"I can promise motorists further vehicle checks will be held soon."

Of the 20 goods vehicles stopped, seven were immediately ordered to rectify defects.

Another two are due to be prosecuted for breaching drivers hours regulation and operating licence regulations.

A 44-year-old man from Sandwich was also arrested on suspicion of stealing a bicycle and was cautioned.