POLICE today apologised for delaying thousands of motorists as they carried out roadside checks in Ipswich during rush hour.Officers were using automatic number plate recognition systems to check for uninsured drivers, as well as looking out for drivers without seatbelts or talking on their mobile phones as part of a week of action against anti-social motorists.

POLICE today apologised for delaying thousands of motorists as they carried out roadside checks in Ipswich during rush hour.

Officers were using automatic number plate recognition systems to check for uninsured drivers, as well as looking out for drivers without seatbelts or talking on their mobile phones as part of a week of action against anti-social motorists.

Traffic slowed to a crawl along Landseer Road and Duke Street, due to the stops being conducted in Bridge Street.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police apologised for the delays caused to thousands of motorists as they tried to get into the town for work between 7am and 9am.

She said: “The roadside check was done off the main one-way system this morning to ensure that there was no obstruction, but unfortunately it still seems to have caused some delays.

“We are sorry if this has inconvenienced people on their way into work, and we would like to thank them for their patience.”

She added that the roadside checks are essential and help the police to stop the minority of drivers who continue to break the law.

The spokeswoman added: “Often vehicles that are uninsured also have no tax, no MOT and are unroadworthy - they also tend to be involved in crime.

“By taking these vehicles off the roads we limit the opportunities for their users to commit crime, as well as making the roads a safer place for all.”

Evening Star reporter Hazel Byford was stuck in the traffic on Duke Street and the one-way system at the Waterfront.

She said: “Landseer Road was not too busy but by the time I got to the roundabout at Duke Street and Holywells Road, traffic was really bad.

“At times I was completely still, and even when I was moving it was nothing more than a crawl.

“It took me around half an hour to get from that roundabout to the Novotel roundabout.

“I left for work earlier than I usually do, but still ended up being late - which I expect was the case for many frustrated motorists.”

The checks are part of Suffolk police's week of action and on Monday 20 cars were stopped during an operation targeting younger drivers who gather on the series of town roads known as the 'double D'.

Were you caught up in the traffic chaos? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveninstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk