Human trafficking arrests during day of action

Two people were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking during a day of action against criminals who use the roads network.

Suffolk Police said the aim of the multi-agency Operation Alliance, held in and around Ipswich, was "disrupting and frustrating the activities of criminals, including organised crime groups".

In total, eight arrests were made, more than 90 vehicles stopped and 180 traffic offence reports issued.

Sgt Alex Kelly, of the roads and armed policing team, said as well as motoring offences, the crackdown led to the discovery of potentially more serious crimes.

The Suffolk force was joined by specialist operations teams from Norfolk, Essex, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire

Agencies involved included the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency, HM Revenue & Customs and Home Office Immigration Enforcement.

Police said it was "intelligence-led". Vehicles suspected of involvement in criminality were escorted to a check site at the Copdock truck stop.

Ninety-seven vehicles were escorted back. Just 27 left having committed no offences.

Four people were arrested on suspicion of drug-driving and four for immigration offences.

Fifty eight traffic offence reports were handed out, including six for not wearing a seat belt and five for not having an MOT.

One vehicle was found with five people, three of them children, sat across three rear seats.

One stolen vehicle was recovered and five vehicles were seized for not having insurance.

The safety camera team also detected 124 speeding offences.

Tim Passmore, Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner, said: "The risks people are prepared to take with their own lives, and the lives of others, never fails to amaze me."

Suffolk County Council Trading Standards seized 41 bottles of perfume and £6,305 in unpaid fines was recovered, including £2,595 due to local councils.

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