Road safety operation in Dartford leads to arrests

A road safety operation in Dartford resulted in arrests and motorists being reported for traffic offences.

Over fifty vehicles of all descriptions were stopped, and four arrests made, during a road safety operation involving roads policing officers from Kent and Essex Police.

Roads Policing Units from the two forces worked together at the Dartford Crossing on Thursday 9 December 2020 and primarily targeted unroadworthy vehicles.

Arrests

As a result of the work, a man from Dartford, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs and drug driving and taken into custody.

A search of the man’s home led officers to locate a significant number of drugs and drug paraphernalia. He has been bailed to reappear at a police station.

A 39-year-old man from Beckton, a 21-year-old man from Sidcup and a 39-year-old woman from Erith were also arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs. All have since been released, pending further enquiries.

Other results

In addition to the arrests, 25 fixed penalty notices, worth a combined £7300, were issued for traffic offences. This included offences such as dangerous and unsuitable use, vehicles in a dangerous condition, overweight vehicles, and drivers’ hours offences.

A fine of £300 was issued to a man for carrying scrap waste without a licence.

One vehicle was stopped and seized for no tax, two were seized for no insurance and one stolen vehicle was identified and seized.

Two HGVs were also identified as having outstanding fines, one of which was £4800, and the HGV was recovered at the request of Border Force.

Sergeant Grant Steele, from Kent Police’s Roads Policing Unit said: ‘Like many other departments in Kent Police, our team benefits from a close relationship with our counterparts in Essex.

‘Sharing intelligence and partnership work is a fundamental part of policing and, as this day of action shows, helps achieve positive results for the people we serve.’