A POLICE operation targeting vehicles towing trailers and caravans has brought some hefty results for Warwickshire Police.
Operation Homberg on June 6 on the M6 at Corley North and August 3 on the M40 South saw officers working with Highways England, and the Caravan and Camping Club.
During the operation three stolen trailers were identified and a stolen Land Rover.
Officers also seized a mini digger identified as stolen from Nottingham in 2014.
Twelve vehicles were found to be overweight and the drivers received traffic offence reports.
The vehicles were prevented from continuing their journey until their weight was brought down to a legal level.
Abnormal loads travelling on the road network where also checked, with two vehicles found to be contravening special weight regulations.
One vehicle transporting a train carriage was not displaying the correct weight plates was dealt with for being 42 tons overweight, and another carrying quarry machinery again failed to display the right plates and was dealt with for being 35 tons overweight.
The load was also insecure due to perished straps.
Seven vehicles were identified with defective illegal tyres.
Officers also found eight insecure loads and the vehicles were prohibited from continuing their journey until made safe. The drivers received traffic offence reports.
Two vehicles were found to have excessive tinted windows and the drivers were required to remove the tints before being allowed to continue their journey.
Two drivers were found not to have appropriate Insurance and three drivers had no driving licence – and one of these was towing a caravan.
Sergeant Shaun Bridle of the Commercial Vehicle Unit said: “There is a risk to the public every day due to drivers not complying with road safety laws.
“Our aim is to reduce the number of people who are killed or seriously injured on Warwickshire’s roads and we will continue to target vehicles for these offences.”
