More than 50 driving offences were reported by Suffolk police during a crackdown held in Ipswich on Tuesday (December 1).

Operation Alliance, a multi-agency operation, took place between 8am and 3.30pm from the Copdock A12/A14 interchange.

Operation Alliance was set up to reduce road casualties by targeting motoring offences that are most likely to cause collisions. Police officers along with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) road fuel testing and the HMRC Hidden Economy team took part.

78 vehicles were stopped and escorted to the check site, with 51 traffic reports for offences of careless driving, mobile phone use, no seatbelts, no vehicle MOT, no insurance, dangerous condition of vehicle, defective tyres, overweight vehicles. There were two drugs possession arrests and one vehicle was seized for having no insurance.

Dozens of other drivers were reported for offences including using red diesel and driving defective vehicles.

Police are targeting the ‘fatal four’ of speeding, drink/drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt and driving while using a phone or other device.

Inspector Julian Ditcham from Suffolk Roads Policing and Firearms Operations Unit said: “Tuesday’s operation was a success and a number of drivers were spoken to by ourselves and our partners on a number of issues.

“It is really important that we raise awareness of the dangers of committing offences on our roads – where all road users can be put at risk.

“We will continue to target motorists who commit these offences and will do all we can to promote road safety across the county.”

Fatal collisions on Suffolk’s roads this year are at a six-year high, with 35 killed this year.

Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore, said: “I’ve seen previous Alliance events in action and have been very impressed by the scale of this operation which is based at the strategically important junction of the A14 and the A12 at Copdock.

“Roads policing is a key theme in my police and crime plan and something I take a personal interest in. I have insisted that Suffolk continues to invest in roads policing and we are one of only a few constabularies that has not made reductions in this area.

“From what I have seen it was an excellent day’s work and a super example of agencies working together for the common good.”