Midlands blitz \ targets safety \
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More than 50 trucks or their drivers were found to be breaking the law after being stopped in a one-day crackdown in the Midlands.
The multi-agency operation followed growing concerns over the safety of hundreds of HGVs travelling on Solihull's roads serving several huge construction projects.
Police teamed up with Customs & Excise, the Benefits Agency, the Department of Transport and the Vehicle Inspectorate for the roadside check, code-named Operation Hellgate. It concentrated on vehicles travelling to construction sites on the £1,10m Blythe Valley Business Park, the 800-home Dickens Heath Village and the Toachwood Court shopping complex in the town.
Police said 14 trucks were issued with immediate prohibitions; another six were found to be overweight; four were not covered by Operator's Licences; and a further five were given 14 days to rectify minor infringements.
Customs officers also confiscated two lorries found to be running on red diesel—these were released only after on-the-spot fines of 1600 and £750 had been paid.
The owners of another truck can expect a fine of several thousand pounds after It was found to be running on paraffin,
Operation Hellgate also uncovered eight drivers claiming unemployment benefit and another 16 were charged with a variety of traffic offences.
Sgt Colin Wood of Solihull police says: "I think this operation was successful in getting the message across to hauliers that we will not tolerate dangerous or illegal vehicles on our roads."