3 minibuses prohibited in M5 operation

A joint operation on the M5 involving West Midlands police pulling over the minibuses, VOSA checking the safety of vehicles, HMRC checking the fuel, the Border Agency checking identification and the Gangmasters Licensing Authority speaking to drivers and the workers about their conditions of work and treatment.

As a result of the two hour multi agency operation on Thursday 6 October, five minibuses containing workers that spoke, Russian, Polish, Nepalese and Hindi were pulled over between 16:00 and 18:00 at Franckley Services. Three of the vehicles were prohibited and vehicles impounded due to driver issues including driver hours and drivers having the right licences to drive the vehicles.

The GLA would not confirm details of what had been discovered, but did confirm, that useful intelligence had been gathered. Which may lead to further operational activity.

Paul Whitehouse, Chairman of the GLA said

“These traffic stops often provide us with information that can highlight problems that need to be investigated further.”

“Plans are already being made for the next piece of joint working and the teamwork involved will protect the general road user from problem vehicles as well as the other benefits the action brings.”

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