West Midlands Police are taking a tough stance against vehicle crime across Dudley in a bid to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries and aim to disrupt and deter criminals who abuse the road network.

In April West Midlands Police launched Operation Triton in a bid to make the roads of the West Midlands safer.

On Wednesday, they carried out a multi-agency operation with the road safety team in Lye which saw 13 drivers reported for offences including illegal window tints, no insurance, no MOT, not wearing seatbelts, an insecure load, unroadworthy tyres and mobile phone use.

One car was seized as the driver had no insurance and two were dealt with by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for vehicle defects. A car was stopped in Brierley Hill and checks found the driver had no licence and no insurance. The car was seized and the driver reported.

Yesterday, a driver was stopped in Halesowen and found to have drugs and two large zombie knives in the vehicle. The driver also provided a positive drugs test and is now in custody.

Three more cars had been seized on Saturday evening into Sunday morning for no insurance. On Tuesday we seized another car which we found to be on false plates. Checks established it had been stolen during a burglary in July. The driver was arrested.

In addition we continue to carry out speed watch operations on roads which you tell us are of concern. Neighbourhood manager Inspector Michelle Allen said:

“We are committed to making our roads safer by tackling dangerous drivers, criminals and offenders who pose a serious risk to themselves and other road users.

“We conduct regular traffic operations that target drivers who use the roads whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“We also conduct regular operations to tackle speeding and mobile phone use while driving and deal with safety issues like not wearing seatbelts, inappropriate child safety, and window tints which reduce vision.”