Vans seized and drivers reported as police target A41

Officers carried out stop checks on commercial vans travelling along the A41 in Bushey, Radlett and Aldenham as part of the Metal Theft Week of Action.

Hertfordshire Constabulary says between Thursday, February 10 to Wednesday, February 16, several vehicles were seized and multiple drivers were reported.

Among those stopped was a motorist who had a large amount of cooking oil in the back of the van they were driving.

Photo: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

Checks revealed the vehicle was linked to the theft of cooking oil from the Three Rivers area.

The driver was reported for not having a proper licence and failing to wear a seatbelt - the van was seized and the investigation into the theft is on-going.

In another case, a driver was stopped for having two children that were unrestrained travelling in his van.

He was reported for causing danger of injury by manner carried and given strong words of advice.

Other things police found include:

• A van with bald tyres, no MOT and no tax was seized, and the motorist was issued with a prohibition notice for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition.
• A vehicle where the driver had no insurance was seized.

During the week officers also joined forces with colleagues from the Environment Agency and Hertsmere Borough Council to check that appropriate processes and regulations were being followed at scrap yards.

Photo: Hertfordshire Constabulary

Police in the borough also joined colleagues from British Transport Police at Potters Bar Railway Station to raise awareness of catalytic converter thefts and the actions motorists can take to protect themselves.

Sergeant Noel Buckley, from the Hertsmere Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “Although this was a targeted week of action, we are regularly working with our partners to tackle metal theft and ask that residents and motorists help us by remaining vigilant and reporting any suspicious behaviour to us so that we can take the appropriate action.”