MORE than 30 drivers are out of pocket today after receiving fixed penalty notices in a one-day crackdown on motoring offences in Mid-Suffolk.

MORE than 30 drivers are out of pocket today after receiving fixed penalty notices in a one-day crackdown on motoring offences in Mid-Suffolk

One motorist also had his car seized after falling foul of the law.

Around 70 vehicles were stopped by police under an operation codenamed Guardian, which involves an ongoing campaign against illegal drivers.

Two teams of officers carried out road safety enforcement checks focusing on drink or drug driving, speeding, use of mobile phones, and seatbelt enforcement.

They targeted Old Newton, Thurston, Drinkstone, Barking, Bramford, Claydon, Stowupland, Stonham Parva, Mickfield, Debenham, Eye, Oakley, Mellis, Palgrave and the surrounding areas.

In addition, a parking enforcement patrol was carried out in Stowmarket town centre.

Nine fixed penalty notices were issued for speeding, seven drivers were warned about their speed, and one driver was reported for consideration of prosecution for speeding.

In addition 22 tickets for �30 were issued for driving without wearing a seatbelt, while one vehicle was seized for having no insurance.

Drivers were also spoken to for having defects with their vehicle and having no road tax or no MOT certificate.

Pc Tim Green, who led the crackdown, said: "The aim was to focus on traffic offences in more rural areas, where we often receive complaints of speeding through villages or anti-social vehicle use.

“A minority of drivers think it's acceptable to speed down country lanes and more minor roads, or not to wear their seatbelt because they're just popping to the local store, and that they won't get caught.

“Our message to them is that we are conducting patrols in these areas and that if you do not drive within the law or to the road conditions, the consequences are a fine, points on your licence or worse.

“A parking patrol was also carried out in Stowmarket, as this has been a priority for the town's Safer Neighbourhood Team for some time. Six tickets were issued, so it appears that the message is getting through that illegal parking has an adverse effect on traffic flow and the safety of pedestrians in the town centre.”

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