FIVE vehicles were seized for having no tax or insurance when stop checks were carried out on vehicles in Downton.
Representatives from HRMC, Environment Agency, National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service, Driver Vehicle Standards Agency and Trading standards along with officers from Dorset and Wiltshire Police came together for the multi-agency operation this morning (Friday, August 9).
The operation was to target those using red diesel illegally as well as check the safety of vehicles and ensure proper documentation and appropriate licences, were in place. It was also ensure vehicles had not been used in crimes such as burglaries and the transportation of stolen goods.
In total, 114 vehicles were stopped.
Three tickets were issued for not having an MOT and one vehicle was found to have red diesel, which is being investigated further by HMRC.
There were also 24 Environmental Agency referrals.
During the checks of trades vehicles officers pulled over a vehicle transporting exotic pets.
A baby tortoise was scanned to ensure that it was micro-chipped and had the relevant documentation, which police have confirmed it did.
Acting Inspector John Hutchings said: "This was a successful multi agency operation and we are grateful to all our partners who were involved.
"Working together in this way means that we can target offenders and gather pertinent information for the different agencies in order to better investigate, detect and prevent crime.
"It's also a really good opportunity to educate drivers on vehicle and road safety."
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