Volunteer officers praised following two-day Bradford safety drive

Special Constables, who ran the two-day operation, used an upgraded camera system in a bid to cut down on road casualties.

The volunteer officers were out in force as part of National Specials Weekend, an annual event to promote the work of the Special Constabulary.

They targeted a series of roads, including Cleckheaton Road and Huddersfield Road in Low Moor, Sticker Lane in Laisterdyke, Lilycroft Road in Heaton, Great Horton Road and the A650 Tong Street.

Officers focused on the five major causes of death and injury on the roads – speeding, not wearing seatbelts, use of mobile phones, driving with excess alcohol or under the influence of drugs and uninsured and untaxed vehicles.

A total of 107 motorists were issued with fixed-penalty fines, of which 94 were for not wearing seat belts, seven were for tinted windows and six for number plates that did not conform with legislation.

A dozen motorists were issued with endorsable tickets, meaning a £60 fine and three points. Six of those were for using mobile phones while driving and six were for speeding.

Police also made four arrests, including two suspected illegal immigrants and two motorists who were suspected of drink driving..

Eleven vehicles were seized, mostly for having no insurance, while 23 motorists were given notice to rectify faults on their vehicles.

As part of the operation, 30 taxis were stopped, of which three were suspended and three were advised to rectify faults.

Special Section Officer Gerry Slade said: “It was a very successful operation. One of the motorists we took positive action against thanked us because they had a number of major defects on their car they were not aware of.”

Inspector Osman Khan said: “This was very much a Specials-run operation in which Special Constables have given their time up to come in – and look what they achieved in two days.

“This is just the start of something very positive that will continue throughout the year.”