Yesterday (Thursday 20 March) Wiltshire Police teamed up with partner agencies to tackle rural crime and road safety issues in Marlborough.
As well as looking for drivers using illegal fuel, (‘Red Diesel’ is only allowed to be used away from the public highway primarily for farm machinery), the Police, Vehicle & Operator Services Agency (VOSA), HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and Wiltshire Council were out to catch a wide range of offenders from driving without tax or insurance, being overloaded, carrying contraband such as illegal tobacco or alcohol, or just driving an unroadworthy vehicle.
Wiltshire Council officers were out checking waste carriers, brokers and dealers for scrap metal and licenses. HM Revenue and Customs inspectors were looking for vehicles running on Red Diesel and those carrying contraband, whilst the VOSA teams were carring out checks on vehicle licensing, testing to ensure compliance with road safety legislation and environmental standards.
There were two vehicles caught running Red Diesel. One didn’t even get pulled in but stopped to get a burger at the Bay Bridges layby on the A346 to the North of Marlborough. The HMRC fuel inspector on the spot with the keen sense of smell got a whiff of something that wasn’t quite right so decided to check the vehicle’s tank only to find that it was running on the cheaper illegal fuel. What was planned to be a £5 burger stop turned out to be an on the spot fine of £540 with instructions to drain and flush his tank and change the fuel filter within 24hrs or run the risk of the (expensive and not very old) Landrover being seized.
Across several points around Marlborough the teams stopped more than 350 cars, including 4x4s, towing vehicles, and lorries and as they checked to make sure that all were safe and legal. Most were, but many weren’t.
Offences discovered included overweight vehicles (one Transit driver was issued with an £800 fine), several vehicles were seized as they were being driven with no insurance, others didn’t have MOT certificates, numerous defective vehicles such as bald tyres and non-matching numberplates, driving whilst using a mobile phone, driving without having a licence, driving on a provisional licence, and one fixed penalty notice for posession of cannabis.
PCSO John Bordiss of the Rural Crime Team and PC Dave Tippetts Community Beat Manager for Marlborough Neighbourhood Policing Team led on the day of action.
PCSO John Bordiss of the Rural Crime Team said: “ The joint partnership day was a huge success and enabled all involved to prevent and detect criminality on the roads in and around Marlborough. The results highlight the number of vehicles using rebated fuel, and the poor condition of some of the agricultural and farm vehicles being used on the roads in Marlborough. It is key these vehicles are removed from use on the roads to protect and safeguard other road users.
“The operation is part of ongoing work to reduce rural crime not just in Marlborough but across the county. Our visible presence with support of our partners should be a reminder to criminals that we are committed to preventing crime and protecting our public.”
Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon Angus Macpherson was at Marlborough Police Station yesterday to sit in on the briefing for officers and staff ahead of the operation.
He said: “I was pleased to give my support to this operation because of its rural focus.
“Wiltshire is a rural county and so rural crime is an important issue. I intend to look closely at the needs of the rural community by conducting a rural crime survey and then organising a rural crime forum to discuss the survey results,”
“The operation in and around the Marlborough area brought together roads policing and rural crime team officers and PCSOs and it was good to see our partners, VOSA, HMRC and Wiltshire Council working closely alongside the constabulary.”
Bob Gaiger, HMRC spokesman said: “HMRC were working with our enforcement partners at this multi-agency exercise to tackle tax evasion related crime. We were primarily checking for duty and tax offences associated with illegal road fuel use, however, our officers were also looking for any smuggled goods being transported.”
“If anyone has information about fuel fraud we would encourage them to contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000.”
If you have any information regarding any issues please call Wiltshire Police non-emergency number on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously.
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