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More than 70 vehicles were stopped and over 190 Traffic Offence Reports issued during a multi-agency day of action in Ipswich last week.
Why it matters: The operation targeted criminals using Ipswich's road network while also focusing on dangerous driving behaviours that contribute to fatal collisions.
The big picture: The intelligence-led operation involved nine partner agencies and took place on Tuesday, 22 April at a check site at Sainsbury's in Hadleigh Road, aiming to disrupt organised crime groups that operate across county borders.
By the numbers:
71 vehicles were escorted to the check site, with just 14 found clear of offences
63 Traffic Offence Reports were issued at the site
129 additional speeding offences were detected in surrounding areas
Five vehicles were seized for various offences
The details: Police made four arrests, including three for drug-driving and one for a suspect wanted by Lincolnshire Police for theft. Immigration Enforcement made five further arrests after checking 51 people.
Officers focused on the "Fatal Four" offences that commonly cause serious accidents: drink/drug driving, mobile phone use, speeding, and not wearing a seatbelt.
A motorcyclist was recorded travelling at 81mph in a 40mph zone on the A1214 London Road.
What they're saying: Sergeant Alex Kelly of the Roads and Armed Policing Team said: "Days of action like this are vital in helping us gather and share intelligence with partner agencies, and are also a great way of intensely targeting an area."
"I have attended far too many collisions where one of the 'Fatal Four' elements was a contributing factor, some of which have resulted in the loss of a loved one."
Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore added: "The number of arrests and traffic offences recorded show just how valuable these multi-agency days of actions are."
"I fully support these pro-active campaigns. They send out a strong, clear message to those who choose not to comply with the 'fatal four' that Suffolk Constabulary is on the case."
The bottom line: The operation was part of the National Police Chiefs' Council's Operation Spotlight, which focuses on criminal use of the road network and targets those committing the most dangerous driving offences.
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