Over 500 drivers in Kirklees caught in police crackdown

Action has been taken against more than 500 drivers across Kirklees, with 20 arrested, as part of a police operation designed to reduce the number of car crashes.

The West Yorkshire Police Roads Policing Unit, alongside the Kirklees Neighbourhood Policing Teams, have take action against 553 drivers and have made 20 arrests between August and October. This forms part of Operation Trimburg, which was launched to reduce fatal and serious crashes in Batley and Spen, as well as Dewsbury and Mirfield.

Since its launch in February, officers have recorded more than 1,700 traffic offences.

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During the last three months, the police have dealt with 100 drivers for speeding, 150 for not wearing seatbelts, 59 for driving while using a mobile phone and 28 for driving without paying due care and attention. More than 200 were stopped for other matters and further action will be taken against all parties through traffic offence reports.

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In addition, two drivers were stopped for drink and drug driving, while one was arrested for theft of a car and another was arrested for failing to stop for police. Other drivers were stopped for offences such as burglary and handling stolen goods. Five drivers were arrested for driving while disqualified.

West Yorkshire Police say the operation is aimed at reducing the 'Fatal 5' offences, which are identified as being the main cause of serious crashes. These are speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, drink and drug driving, using a mobile phone and careless driving.

The police have also said they remain committed to 'Vision Zero', which aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Chief Inspector Rebecca Calpin of Kirklees District Police, said: “Dangerous and anti-social driving is absolutely not tolerated in Kirklees as these latest figures show.

“Operation Trimburg, which is supported by our local councillors, is continuing to achieve results month in and month out and we urge anyone who has footage or information to share it with us.

“Neighbourhood Policing Teams ( NPT’s) base their policing priorities on your feedback so please contact us if there is a particular issue with dangerous driving or riding in your community.

“Whether it’s an issue about a particular type of offence or a problem concentrated in a certain community, we want to hear from you!"

If you have footage or dangerous and anti-social driving in West Yorkshire, you can submit it to Operation Snap online here. You can also report it to your local NPT via calling 101 or by going online.