Police stop more than 100 vehicles in Dunmow and Stansted

Essex Police's Operation Vision Zero works with the Safer Essex Road Partnership in an aim to eliminate all fatalities and serious injuries on the road by 2040.

Two operations were conducted on Saturday, January 14, following community concerns due to several recent road collisions in the district.

In the morning, Uttlesford and Braintree community and local policing teams officers set up a checkpoint in Thremhall Avenue in Stansted Airport with Roads Policing colleagues - stopping 110 vehicles and talking to their drivers.

Five drivers were warned for minor defects, such as low tyre treads, and one vehicle was issued with a prohibition notice and seized because it was in a dangerous condition and unfit to drive.

Another 18 motorists were reported for traffic offences, including worn tyres, illegal window tints and not wearing a seatbelt.

Five people were warned for stopping on clearway roads near the airport, where it is forbidden to stop at any time.

A 24-year-old man was arrested and later charged after an incident on an airport bus.

On January 16, Colchester magistrates ordered him to carry out 40 hours of unpaid work and pay £150 in compensation after he admitted threatening behaviour, causing criminal damage to a police vehicle and two counts of theft from airport shops.

Officers also helped move a vehicle to safety after it broke down on the A120, near the airport.

Speeding checks were carried out in Stortford Road, Dunmow (Image: Essex Police)

In the afternoon, Uttlesford community policing officers joined the Rural Engagement and Road Crime teams in the Dunmow area.

Speeding in Stortford Road had been highlighted as an issue by residents, and officers conducted a '100 check' - checking the speeds of 100 vehicles. The highest speed recorded there was 33mph.

Throughout the afternoon 17 drivers were issued with fixed penalty notices for speeding, 14 for driving without a seatbelt, and another for using a mobile phone at the wheel.

A motorcyclist was reported for driving without the correct licence and without insurance, and his bike was seized, while another motorist was reported for driving a car without a valid MOT.

District Commander Chief Inspector Martin Richards says: "One of my top priorities is to reduce deaths and serious injuries on the roads in Uttlesford.

"Our local and community policing teams worked with other teams of officers responsible for keeping roads safe across Essex to provide advice and warnings to motorists in the Dunmow and Stansted areas.

"While I am pleased that motorists in the main were driving safely and within the limit, it is still disappointing that officers had to issue fixed penalty notices to drivers for three of the Fatal Four offences - speeding, using a mobile phone while driving and not wearing a seatbelt.

"It was also worrying that several motorists had to be advised of various vehicle defects and I would advise all drivers to make regular checks and ensure their vehicle is roadworthy before they start their journey."