Two vehicles were seized, three driver were reported, and a wanted man was arrested during a major police-led operation targeting tradesman.

Several officers and police vehicles parked up on the A41 in Bushey on Wednesday during Op Gallium which involved officers from a host of agencies.

Police officers from across Hertsmere, and representatives from Hertsmere Borough Council, the Environment Agency, Trading Standards, and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency.

In total, 82 drivers were pulled up and checked, including commercial vehicles, scrap metal collectors, and waste carriers.

Watford Observer:

Of the drivers stopped, three were reported for having no driving licence or insurance and will be fined or summonsed to court, and three motorists were told to reduce their load.

Four vehicles were considered to be not roadworthy – a faulty brake light and tyre treads below the legal limit.

Two vehicles were seized – one of them was scrapped the same day.

While a man was arrested in connection with an assault which happened in London.

PC Dean Edwards, who co-ordinated the operation, said: “We run these operations regularly to help keep our roads safer and all the partner agencies worked well together to reduce fly-tipping and illegal waste carriers.

“We seized one of the vehicles – a red flat-bed truck – as we discovered he had no MOT. He also had no driving licence, which made his insurance invalid. It has been scrapped today. He has also been reported and he will be summonsed to court for the traffic offences.”

Watford Observer:

Cllr Seamus Quilty, responsible for the environment at Hertsmere Borough, added: “Officers from Hertsmere Borough Council took a proactive role in this operation, working alongside police colleagues and other key partners.

"It was an invaluable exercise in ensuring that the waste carriers that were stopped held the appropriate licences and were conducting their business in a safe, environmentally friendly and lawful way.”