A driver crackdown saw 40 vehicles stopped and searched on Wednesday as part of a multi-agency unsafe drivers’ operation.

Police officers from the Roads Policing and Firearms Operations Unit, Sudbury neighbourhood response team and staff from a number of other Suffolk police departments worked alongside Trading Standards and HMRC as part of a day of action at a lorry park on Rougham Hill, Bury St Edmunds.

Of the 40 vehicles that were stopped, only eight were free of all offences.

Sergeant Julian Ditcham said: “We’re continuing to work hard to minimise the amount of dangerous drivers and vehicles using our road network, and we’re really pleased with the results of this operation.

“Offences included vehicles with defective tyres, no MOT, dangerous condition, drivers with no licences and no insurance. The fact that only eight vehicles had no offences shows how important it is that we continue to crack down on drivers, and we will be holding similar days of action in the future.”

In total, police issued 14 fixed penalty notices for offences and three people were reported for summons for driving offences. Two vehicles were seized as a result of the drivers having no insurance and no driving licence.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency issued 44 advisory notices and five drivers were told they could not drive their dangerous vehicles away.

Trading Standards will be carrying out 10 follow up enquiries regarding working practices.