Successful crackdown on Saddleworth roads for police safety scheme

THE beady eye of the law was fixed on Saddleworth drivers in January for a special two-day traffic enforcement operation to cut down on driving offences.

The Saddleworth Road Safety Initiative was run by the Saddleworth Neighbourhood Police Team in conjunction with the Specialist Operations Department of GMP and various partner agencies.

It saw the police take to the streets of the villages in response to community concerns about road safety, and carrying out a very successful operation.

This close liaison resulted in fixed penalty tickets being issued and four vehicles seized for a variety of offences, including use of mobile phones whilst driving, no insurance, no seatbelts, no MOT or tax, fuel duty evasion and number plate offences.

Additionally, nearly £3,000 was collected in unpaid fines where warrants were issued.

The police at work in Saddleworth for the scheme (picture thanks to GMP)

Bash Anwar, the Neighbourhood Policing Inspector for Saddleworth, said: “I would like to thank Sergeant Neil Barker from Saddleworth Police and PC Jonathan Griffiths from Specialist Operations for their work in organising this complex operation, bringing together numerous external partners to address the concerns of our Saddleworth residents.

“A number of student police officers also worked over both days, gaining invaluable experience of dealing with members of the public for traffic matters and taking offending vehicles off the road, thus making the area safer for those drivers who abide by the law.

“I would also like to thank members of the public for their patience over the two days.

“There are plans to continue such operations in the future, sending a clear message out that we will not tolerate those who flout the rules. ”