Police operation hailed a success

Operation Overlord involved police officers from the Lothian and Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Northumbria, Cumbria and Durham and Cleveland forces.

The two-day activity took place last Thursday and Friday and targeted the key routes between Scotland and England.

In addition to the police, it also involved the Vehicle and Operator Service Agency, HM Revenue and Customs, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Motor Insurance Bureau and BT.

Temporary Road Policing Inspector Brian Jones, from Lothian and Borders Police, co-ordinated Operation Overlord and hailed the partnership efforts as a success.

Inspector Jones said: “As well as identifying several hundred offences, Operation Overlord has helped police in Scotland and England gather vital intelligence, which will prove essential for future enforcement initiatives.

“This operation did not target the vast majority of law-abiding motorists, who travel through Scotland and England each day, but those who commit various crimes while on the road network.

“I would like to thank all of the agencies involved for their co-operation and support, which ensured Operation Overlord sent a clear message that offences on our roads will not be tolerated.”

Insp Jones added: “Operation Overlord was not a one-off event and we will continue to work alongside our partner agencies to gather intelligence and identify those responsible for these crimes.”

More than 700 goods vehicles of all sizes were inspected during roadside checks as part of the operation, with 32 vehicles seized after the drivers were found to have no insurance or no licence.

Around 200 other road offences were also discovered, including mobile phone and seatbelt offences, driving non-roadworthy vehicles and breaches of tachograph regulations.

Five arrests were made for alleged thefts and road traffic offences.

Stolen plant equipment, including a mini road roller and mini excavator, were recovered during the operation, as well as a stolen quad bike.

Officers recorded five alleged drug offences and reports will be sent to the procurator fiscal in due course.

British Transport Police were also involved in the operation and visited 11 scrap metal dealers north and south of the border as part of their ongoing commitment to tackling metal theft.