Nine cars seized, dozens arrested and 120 prosecuted in Kirklees road safety blitz

Police have issued a warning after more than 120 drivers were prosecuted and nine cars seized in just four weeks.

West Yorkshire Police have warned Operation Trimburg, a campaign to curb illegal and dangerous driving in Kirklees, will be continuing after dozens of drivers were caught in June. Roads Policing Unit carried out extra car based patrols on roads in Heckmondwike, Batley and Spen and Cleckheaton as part of the initiative.

Read more: All the mobile speed camera locations across West Yorkshire this week

What each of the 122 drivers were caught for

• 34 were stopped for speeding offences.

• 37 for not wearing a seatbelt.

• 5 were caught using their mobile phones while behind the wheel.

• 9 cars were seized for document offences.

Operation Trimburg, which is supported by local councillors in Dewsbury and Mirfield and Batley and Spen, is aimed at reducing the #fatal5 offences.

These are the five crimes most associated with fatal road incidents, which are:

• Speeding

• Not wearing a seatbelt

• Drink and drug driving

• Using a mobile phone

• Careless driving

Superintendent Warren Pitman of Kirklees Police, said: “Operation Trimburg is delivering significant results in communities in Kirklees and I want to make it clear to drivers that we are regularly patrolling our roads, and we will take action to make them safer.

Read more: Huddersfield boating couple trapped in lock living 'red-tape nightmare'

“We know that not wearing a seatbelt can be a significant factor in people losing their lives in road accidents and it is of concern that so many drivers were caught without one. The rules of the road are very clear and there is simply no excuse for not using one.

“Reducing the number of fatal and serious collisions in Kirklees continues to be our primary aim and we know from speaking with residents that they feel passionately about this issue as well.

“As always, we continue to encourage anyone who has concerns about a particular roads related issue in their community, such as speeding or poor parking, to contact their local neighbourhood policing team.”

West Yorkshire Police also remains committed to Vision Zero, a road safety aim established with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all in West Yorkshire.

Get all the latest and breaking Yorkshire news straight to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter here.