Drivers warned they could be 'caught out' after police stop 40 vehicles in crackdown

Multiple penalties were issued by officers as part of a safety operation

Drivers have been warned that they could be "caught out" by police after officers stopped 40 cars in the Black Country. 22 penalties were then given out for offences including driving without insurance, failing to be in possession of a valid MOT, parking breaches and ignoring road signs.

It came after a safety operation in Castlegate, Dudley, on Tuesday, June 4. A man, 30, was arrested on suspicion of driving while disqualified during the crackdown.

Two stolen vehicles were also seized with the assistance of a forensic tagging system. Sergeant Carl Schacht, from West Midlands Police, said: "We know there are those who don’t care about the potential risks associated with driving vehicles in a dangerous condition, or who try to bypass the rules required to be on our roads.

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"We’re clamping down on these irresponsible road users through activities like the operation we ran yesterday. We’re pleased with the results and will be running more road safety operations at different times and places. I hope drivers will take note and follow the rules to avoid being caught out."

A spokesperson for the force added: "We arrested a man for a driving offence, seized vehicles and issued fines and notices to drivers in the Castlegate area of Dudley yesterday (4 June). It formed part of a joint road safety operation in which officers from our Dudley Neighbourhood team - together with road safety and other policing colleagues - carried out spot checks in the area working with external partners, including the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency and HM Revenue & Customs.

"Road safety is a forcewide priority and these operations are designed to ensure that vehicles being driven on our roads meet legal requirements and are in a safe condition; and likewise that those driving them are fit to do so and have all the necessary documents in place.

"During the morning exercise we arrested a 30-year-old man for driving while disqualified, stopped 40 vehicles and issued 22 penalties and notices for a range of offences including driving without insurance, failing to be in possession of a valid MOT, parking breaches and ignoring road signs.

"With the assistance of partners from DataTag, and using their forensic tagging system, we also identified and recovered two stolen vehicles. Three other vehicles were seized for offences under the Road Traffic Act."