FIVE vehicles were taken of Fenland s streets for being driven illegally yesterday during operations by police and partner agencies. Response police officers joined forces with HM Customs & Excise and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) to car

FIVE vehicles were taken of Fenland's streets for being driven illegally yesterday during operations by police and partner agencies.

Response police officers joined forces with HM Customs & Excise and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) to carry out checks on the A10 at West Winch and A47 at Walsoken.

The roadside checks form part of the multi-agency 'Operation Radar', which targets rogue traders, bogus callers and those involved in affiliated rural crime.

During yesterday's operation, officers were checking for driver, licensing and registration offences, fuel tax fraud (illegal use of red diesel) as well as ensuring vehicles were roadworthy.

As a result of checks on more than 70 vehicles, one vehicle was seized from a motorist driving on the A47 without a licence and three dangerously unroadworthy vehicles immediately taken off the road.

The team also issued:

• Five on-the-spot fines for seatbelt, no MOT and illegal number plate offences.

• Five vehicle defect notices, requiring owners to get their vehicles repaired within seven days.

During a seperate operation by road policing officers at Outwell in the evening, a scooter being driven without insurance was seized and two motorists caught speeding through the village were fined.

King's Lynn Sergeantt Gary Zoller said: "These high-profile checks are part of our ongoing campaign to identify and deal with criminals using road networks in and out of the county and, with our partners, we are able to take a range of action against motorists caught breaking the law.