Officers from Towcester Safer Community Team, in conjunction with staff from Trading Standards, VOSA, HM Revenue and Customs and DVLA, took part in a high profile operation on the A508 near to Stoke Bruerne between 11am and 3.30pm yesterday, Thursday 4 March.

The aim of the operation was to disrupt and deter travelling criminals who may be involved in the theft of motor vehicles, theft from motor vehicles, burglary or fraud offences.

During the course of the operation some 35 vehicles were checked, and the team detected a number of offences that were either dealt with at the roadside or will involve follow up enquiries by the relevant agencies.

These included:

Driving without a license and insurance, minor offences relating to lighting and tyres, and the misuse of red diesel.

Officers from the DVLA recorded 22 hits relating to potential vehicle licensing offences. These will be followed up separately by the DVLA.

Trading Standards Officers will be following up with the occupants of one vehicle found to be transporting foodstuffs not in accordance with legislation. Trading Standards officers also gave legislative advice to numerous people involved in cold calling activities.

These operations are particularly useful to gauge the routes that criminals either use or avoid. Officers will be conducting similar activities at different locations across South Northants in the coming months.