16 cars seized in police operation

An operation by Sidmouth police to target unsafe vehicles has so far seen 16 cars taken off the road.

The town’s neighbourhood team has joined forces with officers from Seaton to carry out Operation Mascot stop-checks along the A3052 over the past four months.

Of the 142 vehicles stopped, 11 drivers were reported for motoring offences - such as not wearing a seatbelt or using a mobile phone while behind the wheel.

Sixteen cars were deemed un-roadworthy by Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) officers and taken off the road. Two vehicles were found to be using red diesel unlawfully and one driver was found to be under the influence of alcohol.

Sergeant Andy Squires said the operation would continue regularly and expand to include the Honiton area as well.

He said: “It is a very successful example of how three agencies can work well together to reduce the amount of dangerous and unlawful vehicles there are on the road, while at the same time highlighting and dealing with motoring offences to make our roads safer for all users.

“The worrying aspect is just how many un-roadworthy vehicles we come across.”