Police patrols to target rural drivers

Cheshire Police are to target rural routes around Audlem to check drivers with no tax or insurance on their vehicles.

Patrols are using the latest Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology to scan vehicles and search DVLA databases as well as the Police National Database.

Operation Arion will cover 120 miles of rural roads around Nantwich, including Audlem.

Officers can identify almost instantly if a vehicle is on the road without paid-up tax and insurance.

Head of Nantwich Neighbourhood Policing Unit Inspector Dave Smithers said: ""These key roads are used by many road users, especially during the summer months when more people choose to either visit the area or pass through on route to other local attractions."

Patrols can also identify vehicles that have links with criminality and also those cars likely to have younger owners.

Recent studies by Road Safety Analysis show young rural drivers are almost twice as likely to be involved in a collision as young drivers in an urban setting.

Inspector Smithers added: "We hope to continue through the summer with the objective of reducing collisions and of identifying and dealing with road users who choose to commit offences while using our roads."

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