Police put the brakes on road crime

Police put the brakes on road crime

Police in Rochdale have held a two-day clamp down on illegal drivers.

The initiative, which was held by Rochdale South Neighbourhood Policing Team, resulted in one person being arrested. It saw officers using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) equipment at checkpoints in south Rochdale.

During the two-days officers identified vehicles reported as stolen and those being driven by uninsured drivers. Vehicle examiners were on hand to check registration plates and identify whether vehicles were registered as stolen or had been cloned. Cloning is a term used to describe a vehicle that has been stolen and then had its identity changed by using false number plates.  It resulted in two vehicles being seized for no insurance and 50 fixed penalty notices were issued for various offences.

A device used to check fingerprints was also used on those stopped by police during the day. Officials from the UK Border Agency, HM Revenue and Customs and the council’s environmental health team, supported it.

Inspector Dave Lees said: “The work of the team is just one step to making the roads safer for law abiding people who use them. Our aim is to get uninsured, cloned, stolen or just downright dangerous vehicles off the road and disrupt those who are using the roads in the area for criminal purposes.

“Initiatives like this area great way of showing the public that we are listening to them and are removing the criminals from our streets.”

To report a crime contact Greater Manchester Police on 0161 872 5050 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.  

You can also contact your Neighbourhood Policing Team directly about any issues related to crime or anti-social behaviour on:  

Rochdale South Neighbourhood Policing Team covering Kingsway, Castleton, Milkstone and Deeplish, Balderstone and Kirkholt on 0161 856 8549 / rochdalesouthpartnship@gmp.police.uk.