Breaking down borders: joint operation to tackle road safety and travelling criminality

A planned road safety operation has resulted in three arrests and more than 50 offences dealt with in just six hours.

Operation Mainland is a partnership between North Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Police, Leeds City Council’s Serious and Organised Environment Team and Taxi Licencing Team and the DVSA.

The day of action was held yesterday (Tuesday 07 May 2024) along the A1 and the main route from South Yorkshire to the border with North and West Yorkshire. More than 30 police officers deployed in marked and unmarked vehicles to identify road related offences and intercept travelling criminality.

In total, three arrests were made for various offences which include possession of an offensive weapon, driving whilst disqualified and drug driving.

Several other issues and offences were identified during the operation which include:

A vehicle was reported for high speed on the A1(m) near Selby Fork. The motorist was seen driving in excess of 100MPH. 

A stolen vehicle was located and recovered.

Five vehicles were reported for dangerous or insecure loads.

Three vehicles were reported for minor defects.

Four cars were seized for no insurance.

Three drivers were reported for not wearing a seatbelt.

Seven vehicles were reported for defective lights or indicators.

A motorist was reported for using their mobile phone when driving.

Our partners at DVSA issued 10 immediate prohibitions for dangerous defects which included loose fuel tanks, deflated inner tyres on double axles and tyre cords exposed.

Inspector Clive Turner from North Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Group commented:

“This was a successful day of police and partnership action which shows how we robustly target drivers who fail to abide by the rules on our roads.

“We were disappointed to find so many vehicles which needed to be taken off the road immediately due to the condition they were in.

“Road safety should be a priority for every motorist, it only takes a minor defect or a lapse of concentration to cause a collision which can result in tragic consequences. “