In a bid to improve road safety Chorley Council joined forces with the police and other enforcement agencies to clampdown on rogue motorists.

Drivers on their way into Chorley were picked up on the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system and pulled over to check the vehicles and documents were all in order.

Dozens of vehicles were stopped, with one car taken off the road for having two bald tyres.

PC Gavin Daw, Community Beat Manager for Chorley East said: "As part of Chorley Week of Action, a joint partnership operation was carried out between Lancashire Constabulary, Chorley Borough Council and other partner government agencies in order to target criminals travelling into the area.

"This was achieved by using the ANPR system and intelligence from the local community."

The ANPR days have been held on a regular basis in Chorley and have proved a huge success.

The early results from yesterday show a similar story:

• One vehicle was taken off the road for defective tyres;


• Two motorists were stopped for failing to display a tax disc; and


• Thirty vehicles were checked for red diesel – all passed;

The operation was also targeted at commercial vehicles, including taxis.

Coun Eric Bell, Chorley Council's executive member for neighbourhoods, said: "Cars that are driven illegally pose a danger to other motorists and to be able to take dangerous vehicles off the road make the streets of Chorley safer.

"We had one car which had two totally bald tyres – this is a significant stop because that vehicle could have easily caused an accident.

"We haven't got all the results through yet but we hope this operation will send out a message that illegally driven vehicles are not welcome in Chorley.

"This is making our roads safer for everyone."

The operation was run in conjunction with a police crackdown on vehicle crime.

Officers handed out tamperproof screws to prevent the theft of number plates, which are then used to clone cars. Officers also offered other crime prevention advice to motorists.