Dole cheats caught in road checks
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• Nearly 5 % of truck drivers stopped as part of the latest national multi-agency check, Operation Cargo, were found to be claiming the dole.
Out of 6,000 commercial vehicles stopped at 61 sites across the country last week, 282 drivers were found to be claiming benefits—and the police expect this figure to double once all the results are collated.
More than 340 trucks were issued with immediate prohibitions; 503 received delayed prohibitions. Co-ordinating officer Bob Nockalls says nearly all of the vehicles targeted for checking were LGVs. Representatives of the Vehicle Inspectorate, Customs & Excise, Benefits Agency and police mounted the check between 07:00-15:00hrs last Thursday (12 September).
More than 360 drivers were found to be commiting tachograph offences; 111 trucks had no Operator's Licence; and 164 were overweight. Four stolen vans and a truck were recovered, while 107 vehicles failed to display the correct road tax and 12 were conning on red diesel.
The VI says that 15 % of the foreign drivers stopped were found to be breaking tacho regulations. The RSPCA has reported 10 incidents of cruelty to animals: when an operator hauling ducks was stopped in Norfolk half of them had died en route.
One truck stopped in North Yorkshire had a leaking fuel tank, disconnected brake lines, loose wheel nuts and a loose trailer axle.