A NATIONAL operation to clamp down on illegally operated heavy goods vehicles netted more than 60 drivers breaking the law in Greater Manchester...on one day.

Police officers in the area stopped 379 vehicles on three sites throughout the county as part of the multi agency initiative, codenamed Operation Cargo.

The intention was to target illegally operated or defective goods vehicles in a bid to improve safety on the roads.

Of those stopped in Greater Manchester seven were carrying overweight cargo, 12 drivers had exceeded their permitted driving hours, and one suspected stolen vehicle was recovered with two arrests being made.

Nationally, more than 6,000 vehicles were stopped and of those almost 25 per cent were found to be defective, with 850 being issued with prohibition notices. These mean that the vehicle can not be operated until it has been repaired.

Within the overall figure, 164 were carrying overweight cargo, 168 drivers were over their licensed hours, and 282 drivers were illegally claiming benefit. A total of 41 arrests were made.

This was the fifth in a series of crackdowns designed to encourage vehicle operators to work within the law.

A police spokesman explained illegal operators presented "an unacceptable risk to other road users".

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