Trucks barred in blitz
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by Kathy Watson • Almost a quarter of the vehicles stopped during a check at Beckton lorry park in east London were banned from continuing their journey because of serious vehicle defects.
Those with damaged steering, brakes and tyres were pulled during joint action by police and other authorities including the Vehicle Inspectorate and Customs and Excise.
During the blitz last week 113 lorries were checked and 25 were prohibited from moving. In all, 29 vehicles were in a dangerous condition and 21 had defective brakes. Three vehicles had no speed limiter and the same number were operating without 0-licences. In addition 86 mechanical offences were logged, in some cases several on the same vehicle. The police issued 62 warnings for tachograph offences and the Department of Social Security found 14 people illegally claiming unemployment benefit.
Chief Inspector Ian Hosking at the Bow traffic garage is concerned at the continuing high numbers of vehicles which the police are forced to prohibit from continuing their journeys.