Operation to target travelling criminals in East Herts

A number of vehicles were stopped and an arrest was made during a partnership operation in East Herts, targeting criminals using the road network.

The latest Operation Agrarian was held on Friday (17 May) and involved officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), Scorpion Team, and the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit (RPU).

They were joined by representatives from East Herts Council, Environmental Health, Trading Standards and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Vehicles were stopped and directed to a check point at Ware Recycling Centre, where they were assessed for any defects or signs of being involved in criminal activity.

During the operation:

• One person was arrested after testing positive for having Class A (cocaine) in their system while driving.
• One vehicle was prohibited from use for having a severely damaged windscreen. It was then found to have no insurance and was subsequently seized.
• HMRC issued a fine to a driver who was found to be illegally using red diesel in a commercial/non-agricultural vehicle.
• Environmental Health offered advice to several tradespeople regarding their responsibilities around waste licenses, transfer and disposal.
• Trading Standards issued words of advice to several tradespeople, including those displaying a ‘trust mark’ when they are not registered.
• Several Traffic Offence Reports (TORs) were issued for offences including driving with bald tyres, having no MOT, driving without a seatbelt, driving with an insecure load and displaying incorrect number plates.

Sergeant David Miller, who led the operation, said: “This operation is a great example of how police and partner agencies work together to help prevent criminality and protect local communities.

“Stop checks allow us to identify vehicles of interest, gather intelligence and disrupt criminals who are using the road network to commit offences such as burglary, vehicle crime, drug supply, rogue trading and fly-tipping.

“It also allows us to remove vehicles which pose a danger to other road users.

“I’d like to thank drivers for their patience and cooperation while we carried out the operation. I hope it reassures people that we are listening and doing all we can to disrupt criminals in East Herts.

“I’d also like to thank Herts County Council for allowing us to use the recycle centre for the operation.”