Four people were arrested on suspicion of a number serious offences on a day of drama during a week-long Avon and Somerset Police crackdown on dangerous driving. It unfolded in Frome when a man, believed to be intoxicated, was followed by police into a car park just of the A361 near Frome on Thursday, November 14, where he provided a positive drugs test and was arrested. The day then got much worse for him.
He was then identified as a disqualified driver who was also wanted for 16 other offences – seven outstanding theft offences, eight outstanding Criminal Behaviour Order breaches and one outstanding assault offence. He has been remanded into custody. His two passengers ran off from the scene, arousing serious suspicions.
Avon and Somerset Police officers then saw the two passengers getting into another car later that day. The vehicle was chased by an unmarked vehicle and the front passenger threw a black item into some bushes at the side of the carriageway. On returning to the scene, officers recovered a container with 25 snap bags of white powder inside, suspected to be class A drugs.
A police sting stopped the vehicle and all three people inside were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. The 45-year-old driver also tested positive for cocaine and officers seized a large quantity of cash from the footwell of the car. The men have been conditionally bailed and an investigation is under way.
The bust formed part of Avon and Somerset Police’s week-long crackdown on dangerous driving offences. Officers made 14 arrests between November 11 and 15, and recorded 521 speeding offences including two of which were 61mph in a 30mph zone.
Inspector Matt Boiles, of Avon and Somerset Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said: “Thanks to the support of all teams involved, we took many dangerous drivers off our roads in November.
“Although this was a win for the operation, the results clearly show the huge risks some individuals are taking while behind the wheel. We’re determined to clamp down on these dangerous and unacceptable behaviours, and continue to do so every day, to protect other road users and pedestrians from harm.”
During the course of the week, officers logged:
- 14 arrests (for multiple offences: e.g. drug-driving, concerned in the supply of class A drugs, disqualified driving, vehicle theft, prison recall, warrants, Criminal Behaviour Order breaches)
- 23 uninsured drivers caught + 18 vehicles seized
- 521 speeding offences, two of which were 61mph in a 30mph zone
- 48 speeding detections from an unmarked Road Safety Enforcement Van
- 4 illegal number plates
- 4 mobile phone offences
- 3 seatbelt offences
- 1 vehicle without tax
- 1 insecure load made safe
The five days of action took place alongside the national campaign OP Drive Insured, which saw 91 vehicles seized in Avon and Somerset, including 18 during the above stops. The force says uninsured drivers cause more crashes and usually linked to secondary offences, like hit-and-run collisions, drink and drug driving, as well as other criminal involvement.