Illegal trucks purged on Anglesey

Police, VOSA and other government agencies found legal or roadworthiness faults in 80 per cent of trucks they stopped in a targeted operation in Anglesey.

Officers from North Wales Police’s commercial vehicle and road policing units, VOSA and HMRC took part in the multi-agency checks on the A55. Of 43 vehicles and drivers stopped, 35 were breaking the law.

Common offences included no valid driving licence, no road tax, overloading, drivers’ hours offences, using mobile phones, defective tyres and excessive speed.

The majority of the offences were dealt with by prohibitions, graduated fixed penalty notices and summonses, and in excess of £2,000 in fines were paid at the roadside. Those found to have no insurance had their vehicles seized.

Although 15 breath tests were carried out, all were negative.

Sergeant Tony Gatley, who led the operation, said: “The number of offences detected during the operation shows how vital initiatives such as this are, as a number of companies and drivers continue to disregard the law.

 “It is shocking and disappointing to think how many drivers have a complete disregard to, not only their own safety but the safety of other road users.

“People are still driving uninsured, do not have licences, drive using mobile phones and drive without wearing seatbelts.”