Police arrest motorists in Medway as part of road safety operation in Chatham and Rochester
13:27, 22 February 2021
updated: 13:39, 22 February 2021
Vehicles were seized and arrests made during a police crackdown on motoring offences across the Medway towns.
Officers were on patrol in Chatham and Rochester for a road safety operation which led to two arrests, a further court summons and speeding tickets issued.
The operation held on February 15 across the two towns saw suspects stopped on suspicion of traffic offences and was carried out by Kent Police's Medway Community Safety Unit and the Roads Policing Unit.
A 30-year-old man from Rochester was stopped in Chatham High Street at 11.30am after officers suspected the vehicle was overweight. Further inquiries at the scene led officers to suspect the driver was driving under the influence of cannabis.
He was arrested and released pending further inquiries.
The second person arrested as part of the operation was a 31-year-old man from London.
Police stopped him in Corporation Street, Rochester on suspicion of driving while disqualified. He was arrested for the alleged offence and also on suspicion of driving under the influence of a controlled substance.
He has been released under investigation.
A suspected banned driver was stopped and a summons to appear in court was issued after he was stopped in Institute Road, Chatham at 9.45am. The 38-year-old from Rochester has been told he will appear at Medway Magistrates' Court on a date to be confirmed.
Police impounded two cars and the owners warned with traffic offence reports following two reported incidents in Whyman Avenue, Chatham and Rochester High Street.
The car in Chatham was seized after it was discovered the driver did not have insurance and the Rochester vehicle was not taxed.
A total of five speeding tickets were also issued during the day, including three in Robin Hood Lane, Chatham.
The fastest speed recorded was a driver alleged to be driving at 43mph in a 30mph zone.
'We do listen do these reports, patrol areas which have been identified as potential hotspots and take proportionate enforcement action...'
Insp Steve Bassett, from the Medway Community Safety Unit, said: "We listen closely to what members of the public report to us, with concerns about road safety one of the most consistent themes raised.
"This activity shows we do listen do these reports, patrol areas which have been identified as potential hotspots and take proportionate enforcement action against people suspected to have committed an offence.
"Although the vast majority of motorists in the Medway towns do drive responsibility, and in full accordance of the law, the small minority who don’t pose an unacceptable danger and residents can be assured that we will continue to take similar action over the course of the year.
"If residents do have a concern affecting their area, please do report it to us via our website or by calling 101. Making a report will help us gain an accurate picture on any issues, which we will act upon."
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