An uninsured week-old Aston Martin sports car was among vehicles pulled over during a day of action to combat offences on the roads around Ipswich.

Ipswich Star: Operation Alliance roads policing and ANPR operation at the Copdock Mill Interchange, IpswichOperation Alliance roads policing and ANPR operation at the Copdock Mill Interchange, Ipswich (Image: Archant)

Officers arrested one woman on suspicion of driving while more than twice the alcohol limit, and held the passenger of another car on suspicion of carrying a large knife as a result of Operation Alliance on Thursday.

The multi-agency campaign involved Suffolk and Norfolk roads officers, with colleagues from Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex and Cambridgeshire, and partners from HM Revenue and Customs, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Trading Standards, Environment Agency, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, and Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority.

Ipswich Star: Operation Alliance roads policing and ANPR operation at the Copdock Mill Interchange, IpswichOperation Alliance roads policing and ANPR operation at the Copdock Mill Interchange, Ipswich (Image: Archant)

A check site was based at the Copdock Interchange truck stop between 8am and 4pm, with officers patrolling the A12, A14 and local roads in Ipswich.

By 3pm, more than 80 vehicles had been stopped based on automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology and intelligence, before being directed to the check site for fuel testing, drugs checks, vehicle examinations and breath tests.

Ipswich Star: Operation Alliance roads policing and ANPR operation at the Copdock Mill Interchange, IpswichOperation Alliance roads policing and ANPR operation at the Copdock Mill Interchange, Ipswich (Image: Archant)

At least a dozen motorists were pulled up for tax offences and given the option to pay a fine or see their vehicles towed away.

Sergeant Julian Ditcham said: “The theme of the operation is two-pronged – target and frustrate criminals, and casualty reduction.

Ipswich Star: Operation Alliance roads policing and ANPR operation at the Copdock Mill Interchange, IpswichOperation Alliance roads policing and ANPR operation at the Copdock Mill Interchange, Ipswich (Image: Archant)

“Vehicles are stopped based on our officers’ use of ANPR, vehicle defects, or a road traffic offence being committed.

“At the check site, officers deal with what the vehicle was brought in for, and partners have the opportunity to carry out checks.”

Ipswich Star: Operation Alliance roads policing and ANPR operation at the Copdock Mill Interchange, IpswichOperation Alliance roads policing and ANPR operation at the Copdock Mill Interchange, Ipswich (Image: Archant)

Sgt Ditcham said the operation was also an opportunity to flood Ipswich with officers as part of ongoing reassurance efforts.

Two drivers were arrested for failing to stop when requested, more than half-a-dozen were uninsured, and one person was found to have an outstanding foreign arrest warrant.

Ipswich Star: Operation Alliance roads policing and ANPR operation at the Copdock Mill Interchange, IpswichOperation Alliance roads policing and ANPR operation at the Copdock Mill Interchange, Ipswich (Image: Archant)

Sgt Ditcham said several officers had put themselves forward for the operation on what would otherwise be a rest day.

“With the technology we have, there’s a very good chance that if you’re driving without the correct documents, you’re going to be stopped at some point,” he added.

Ipswich Star: Officers checking vehicles during the Operation Alliance roads policing and ANPR operation at the Copdock Mill Interchange, Ipswich Picture: TOM POTTEROfficers checking vehicles during the Operation Alliance roads policing and ANPR operation at the Copdock Mill Interchange, Ipswich Picture: TOM POTTER (Image: Archant)

“This operation has three key elements – engagement, education and enforcement.”

Ipswich Star: Operation Alliance roads policing and ANPR operation at the Copdock Mill Interchange, IpswichOperation Alliance roads policing and ANPR operation at the Copdock Mill Interchange, Ipswich (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Operation Alliance roads policing and ANPR operation at the Copdock Mill Interchange, IpswichOperation Alliance roads policing and ANPR operation at the Copdock Mill Interchange, Ipswich (Image: Archant)