A car was seized and dozens of women given advice on personal safety during a special evening operation in Lichfield city centre to crack down on vehicle nuisance and keep residents safe.
Lichfield District Community Safety Partnership saw Lichfield District Council’s Community Safety Team join forces with Lichfield Police, the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) and Parking Enforcement from 4.30pm last Friday (13 December).
Officers were stationed in Market Square, Cross Keys, Bird Street and later the bus station, stopping more than 25 cars for examination and checking driver details. The seized car was uninsured, had an illegal headlight and a bald tyre. A family were asked to leave their car and travel by other means when officers discovered there were no car seats for their 7 and 4-year-old children.
In total, 4 drivers received prohibition notices preventing them from driving their vehicles until the legal standards for roadworthiness had been met. Meanwhile, 15 Penalty Charge Notices were issued for illegal parking.
Later on, to promote safer nights, officers in Bird Street engaged with around 50 women to discuss personal safety considerations when enjoying an evening out.
Lichfield District Community Safety Officer Stuart White said:
“Last Friday’s operation was a great success showcasing the positive impact of collaboration between Lichfield District Council, Staffordshire Police, Parking Enforcement and the DVSA.
“We conducted numerous vehicle checks and highlighted the importance of personal safety to many women out in the city centre.”
Councillor Richard Cox, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, added:
“The Community Safety Partnership’s work is vital and I’d like to thank the representatives who gathered in the city centre last Friday to deliver it.
“The operation took illegal vehicles off the road. It was also an important opportunity to promote personal safety to women socialising in Lichfield.”
Inspector Paul Finlayson of Lichfield Police said:
“Lichfield Police continues to work with partners conducting local roads policing operations in support of road safety and denying criminals the use of the roads.
“As well as ensuring drivers were not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Police and DVSA Officers conducted vehicle safety checks resulting in a number of penalties for tyre offences, the issuing of vehicle defect notifications and a seizure of a vehicle with the driver being prosecuted for driving without insurance.
“These operations will continue across Lichfield District in urban and rural areas to identify unsafe vehicles and prosecute driving offences by working in partnership to bring a range of skills and capabilities together in one operation.”