23-10-06 Illegal Immigrants Arrested During Operation Mermaid
The latest series of Operation Mermaid checks were conducted at 18 locations across the UK on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th October. Run by the National Road Policing Intelligence Forum, VOSA Vehicle and Traffic Examiners supported the Police in carrying out roadside inspections on goods vehicles on international journeys. The sixth set of checks this year, this was the first time the operation had been carried out over a weekend period.
The most notable incident undoubtedly took place at VOSA’s Tormarton check site on the M4. An Italian registered truck was found to be four tonnes overweight and both drivers to have committed serious drivers’ hours offences. In addition, the examiners heard banging noises during the inspection and on investigation found four illegal immigrants of African origin hiding in the vehicle’s two side lockers. The immigrants were arrested and the trailer was taken into secure storage by a UK haulier for the weekend.
Results of VOSA’s checks
Roadworthiness
445 vehicles were checked (251 UK-registered vehicles and 194 foreign).
Of the 251 UK vehicles checked, 74 prohibitions were issued with brakes and tyres being the most common defects.
Of the 194 foreign vehicles checked, 33 prohibitions were issued.
Traffic offences
223 vehicles were checked (130 UK-registered vehicles and 93 foreign).
Of the 281 UK vehicles checked, 35 prohibitions and 25 verbal warnings were issued for drivers’ hours offences. Fifteen Reports For Further Investigation were issued for drivers’ records/hours, and operators’ and drivers’ licence offences.
Of the 93 foreign vehicles checked, 19 prohibitions and 60 verbal warnings were issued.
(Note, not all vehicles were inspected for both roadworthiness and traffic offences.)
VOSA’s Testing & Inspection Director Alastair Peoples said: “These results emphasise just why Operation Mermaid is so important, even after 10 years in existence. We will continue to support the Police in order to work towards our common goal of improving road safety.”
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NOTES TO EDITOR:
Operation Mermaid, which has been running since 1996, is the codename for a series of multi-agency nationwide checks organised by the Police. These checks vary from VOSA’s normal day-to-day ones as they are Police-led, with VOSA supporting them in actively pursuing a specified theme (i.e. international travel, dangerous goods) during each operation.
VOSA (Vehicle & Operator Services Agency) is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. It is responsible for:
• Processing applications for licences to operate lorries and buses and registering bus services
• Operating and administering testing schemes for all vehicles, including the supervision of the MOT testing scheme
• Enforcing the law on vehicles to ensure that they comply with legal standards and regulations
• Enforcing drivers' hours and licensing requirements
• Supporting Traffic Commissioners to help them make informed decisions on operator licensing, vocational drivers and bus registration requirements
• Providing training and advice for commercial operators
• Investigating vehicle accidents, defects and recalls
For media inquiries about VOSA, please contact: Henry Norman on 0117 954 3208 / henry.norman@vosa.gov.uk, or Zita Galambosi on 0117 954 2561 / zita.galambosi@vosa.gov.uk.
Could you please send the published version of any articles about VOSA to press@vosa.gov.uk, VOSA, Berkeley House, Croydon Street, Bristol, BS5 0DA, or fax them to 0117 9543303. Many thanks.
Page last updated: 26/10/2006