Faulty cars and unlicensed drivers targeted in Dartford sting

A group of special constables, unpaid volunteers with the same powers as regular officers, carried out stop checks, issuing seven fines for motoring offences and two for drivers lack of tax or insurance.

Eight further motorists received prohibition notices, preventing them from driving their cars until serious and unsafe mechanical defects are fixed.

A 46-year-old woman from Chatham was also arrested on suspicion of drug-driving after her vehicle was spotted being driven in an erratic fashion.

Cars were found to have serious defects

She was later released from custody pending further enquiries.

Special Sergeant David Craggs, who led the operation, said: “This was a highly successful operation that sadly demonstrates there are still too many motorists committing traffic offences and putting other people’s lives at risk.

“Driving an unsafe vehicle or committing an offence such as driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs makes it much more likely that you or someone else will be killed or seriously injured in the event of a collision.

“We will continue to carry out operations such as this in the future to reduce the risk for law-abiding motorists and help make our roads safer for everyone.”

Regular officers from Kent police’s road safety unit assisted with the operation along with colleagues from the Met.

Special constables are required to give up at least 16 hours of their own time each month to work with police in their local communities.

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