15 - Spot-checking operation

 

 

Operation Octopus was carried out by Dudley Council’s enforcement officers with West Midlands Police on Friday night (April 11).

 

A total of 82 vehicles were stopped at three different locations across Dudley and in Sandwell. Of the vehicles stopped, 53 were licensed with Dudley Council, while the remaining 29 vehicles were from either Sandwell, Birmingham and Wolverhampton.

 

As a result of the checks, five of the 53 Dudley licence plates were suspended for a number of offences, which included ineffective seatbelts, a defective handbrake, faulty fuel cap, loose steering column and a bulge in an off-side tyre.

 

“On the whole the vehicles checked were of a safe standard. However, five vehicles did not meet the standard and these licence plates have now been suspended until the cars are made safe. We intend to carry out further spot-checking operations with the police in the coming months.”

 

In addition to council enforcement officers, 12 police motorcyclists, three police sergeants and three community support officers took part in the operation.