'Operation Wintersafe' success in Sefton

Sefton Council's road safety team, officers from Merseyside Police, and representatives from the Tyre Industry Council (TIC) and the AA recently teamed up as part of Operation Wintersafe.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology was deployed as part of the operation, which set out to deploy robust enforcement of road traffic legislation and detection and disruption of vehicle related crime. The initiative also set out to detect people who are wanted on the PNC, and to gather intelligence.

Officers also carried out breath tests on suspected drink drivers, and Sefton Council's road safety team was on hand to offer motorists advice with regard to road safety, tyre safety and vehicle maintenance. Trained officers from the TIC gave appropriate advice, along with an AA technician.

According to the road safety team the operation was a major success, both in terms of enforcement and as an awareness raising exercise. The majority of motorists stopped were supportive of the campaign and Sefton Council hopes to run similar events in the future.

For further formation contact:
Steve Whitehouse: steve.whitehouse@technical.sefton.gov.uk.