Op Mermaid 1_2010

24th Febuary 2010

On Friday 22nd January, 41 police forces took part in the first Operation Mermaid of 2010 across the UK, working with the Vehicle & Operator Services Agency (VOSA), HM Revenue & Customs (HMR&C), UK Border Agency (UKBA), Dept for Work & Pensions and the Environment Agency.  A total of 1668 vehicles were stopped and 41% of all the vehicles were found to be committing offences of some description.  One non-UK articulated vehicle was found with a magnet, which was preventing the tachograph from working and the driver was dealt with.

235 vehicles (14%) were prohibited from continuing their journey due to mechanical defects, drivers' hours offences, being overweight or in connection with the carriage of their loads, whilst a further 166 vehicles had defects, which will require a full mechanical examination within two weeks.  

Six drivers or passengers were arrested including one disqualified driver, one for drink driving and one for immigration reasons.

Four vehicles were seized because either there was no insurance or the driver did not hold the correct driving licence. 

A number of offences were detected by the other agencies including four vehicles found running on red diesel, which were seized by HMR&C.

T/ACC Geraint Anwyl Chair of the National Roads Policing Intelligence Forum said "these results are disappointing and the fact that 41% of all vehicles stopped were found to be in breach of legislation is worrying. The safety of other road users is being jeopardised by the drivers and operators of some of the very largest vehicles on our roads. We will continue to target these offenders and will work closely with partner agencies to reduce the risks to life posed by those intent on operating illegally "