More than 230 vehicles stopped in Basildon police operation

Police stopped and checked more than 230 vehicles during a major road safety and crime prevention operation in Basildon.

The operation on Wednesday November 6th 2013 was also part of the Essex County Council ‘No Excuses’ campaign to raise awareness that there is no excuse for offences such as speeding, driving while using a mobile phone, not wearing seatbelts and driving without insurance.

Officers used automatic number plate recognition technology (ANPR) and mobile patrols to detect offenders whose vehicles were escorted to check points at Eastmayne and Great Oaks.

Two people were arrested, one who was wanted for a criminal damage and another who was wanted for taking a vehicle without consent.

Eleven people were found to have no insurance and face fines of £300 and six penalty points on their licences. Ten of the insurance offenders had their vehicles seized and taken to a recovery yard where they will face paying a further £150 in recovery fees, plus £20 a day after the first 24 hours.

A total of 65 drivers were stopped for not using seat belts and 15 drivers were seen using mobile phones at the wheel. Three drivers were stopped for speeding. All 83 offenders were referred to driver retraining courses instead of being prosecuted.

A total of 37 vehicles were found to have expired MOTs, an offence that carries a £100 fine. Fifteen other motoring offences were dealt with and 24 people were ordered to remove illegal tint material from their windows before continuing their journeys. Numerous verbal warnings were given.