An operation to target criminals using Suffolk’s roads has seen more than 40 vehicles stopped in Ipswich.

Yesterday officers from Suffolk and Norfolk Roads Policing Unit, the Automatic Number Plate Recognition Intercept Team (ANPRIT), passive drugs dogs unit and pro-active teams joined partner agencies for checks at the Portman Road car park.

Two arrests were made, 11 vehicles were prohibited from the roads and more than 80 advisory notes were issued after 47 vehicles were escorted to the site for checks during the day.

The aim of the operation – known as Operation Quartzite - was to disrupt criminal activity, to catch those committing driving offences and to remove unsafe vehicles from the road, with fuel testing, drugs checks and vehicle examinations all being carried out.

Two people were arrested – a 20-year-old man arrested for dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, driving with no insurance and driving with no licence, who was subsequently charged to appear before Ipswich Magistrates on April 8, and a 31-year-old man arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation, who has now been bailed to return to police on April 29. Both men had their vehicles seized.

11 vehicles were issued with immediate prohibitions, meaning they cannot be driven without work being done straight away, and 24 with delayed prohibitions.

84 advisory notes were issued and four vehicles were seized as the drivers had no insurance.

24 traffic offences were reported, driving with no MoT, driving with no licence, driving a vehicle while illegally using a mobile phone and driving a vehicle with a defective tyre.

Six stop searches were carried out with five passive drugs dogs indications.

Ipswich Borough Parking Services recovered four outstanding/overdue parking charge fines, Suffolk Trading Standards issued six notices with follow up enquiries pending, the Environment Agency are following up two investigations regarding waste offences and Suffolk Road Safety Team checked six mopeds and gave advice.

Sgt Julian Ditcham, who helped run the operation yesterday, said; “Once again we have seen some good results from this day of action.

“Along with making the arrests, taking vehicles in a dangerous condition off the road and seizing cars with no insurance we have also found drivers putting their own and other lives at risk by driving with no licence or while using a mobile phone.

“We will continue to carry out these checks, with partner agencies, to target criminals with the aim of making the roads safer for all motorists.”