Police target drivers in Honiton

Neighbourhood officers stopped more than 60 vehicles during a successful traffic operation in the Honiton area on Thursday 14 May.

Officers from Honiton Neighbourhood Policing Team, the Special Constabulary and a team from the Vehicle Inspectorate (VOSA) carried out stop checks in Dunkeswell and Sidmouth Road, Honiton.

Overall a total of 64 vehicles were stopped and the drivers were spoken to at both locations.

Of these, four traffic offence reports were issued by police for excess speed, no seat belts and no insurance offences. VOSA issued six prohibition notices in relation to various construction offences.

This activity is part of Operation Mascot, the rural East Devon policing sector’s initiative to tackle travelling criminals, address driving offences and improve road safety; and the ‘My Red Thumb’ campaign which specifically targets the use of mobile phones whilst driving.

Sergeant Jim Humphrey, Honiton and Axminster Neighbourhood Team, said: “This is another example of the partnership work that the neighbourhood teams in East Devon are constantly undertaking.

“There have been numerous reports about speeding and antisocial drivers across the area and we are focusing our road safety efforts on dealing with those drivers who present a risk to both other road users and themselves.

“The reaction from local residents, particularly at the Sidmouth Road location, was extremely positive and we will undoubtedly be running further operations in the near future.

“Whilst many of the drivers received words of advice about extremely minor offences, where appropriate enforcement action was taken with each case dealt with on its own merits.”