'We are disrupting criminality head-on' - Operation targeting fraudulent driving and identity documents returns to Boston, leading to more arrests
An ongoing operation targeting those who use fraudulent driving and identity documents returned to Boston last month, leading to more arrests.
In the latest phase of Operation Foxtail, Lincolnshire Police and partner agencies stopped about 60 vehicles in Boston.
This resulted in, the force said:
- Five immigration-related arrests (four on grounds of illegally working, one as an overstayer).
- Five vehicles being held under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act, which gives police power to seize vehicles driven without valid insurance or a proper driving licence.
- One vehicle being held for having no tax.
- Three people being handed mechanical prohibition orders, with fixed penalty notices.
- Thirteen Traffic Offence Reports being issued, for such offences as having no MOT, no insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, carrying passengers over vehicle capacity, having tyres below minimum tread, or other mechanical defects.
- Intelligence being gathered in respect of fraudulent activity of a business which is facilitating illegal working in the UK.
Officers from Lincolnshire Police were joined by colleagues from the East Midlands Immigration Compliance and Enforcement Team, and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
The action in Boston took place on June 10. On June 26, Operation Foxtail continued in Sleaford, before shifting to Lincoln on June 29.
Boston featured in previous phases of the operation earlier this year and last year, too.
Insp Carrie Diamond of the Specialist Operations Unit, who oversaw the most recent days of enforcement, said: “This operation demonstrates the power of a highly coordinated taskforce.
“By bringing together specialist resources and expertise, we are disrupting criminality head-on, targeting those who exploit our road network, believing they can operate undetected, and protecting the communities we serve.
“This kind of operation sends a clear message that criminal activity will not be tolerated on our roads, and the results speak for themselves. We’re attacking criminality in all its guises.”