A police road check operation in Gravesend has uncovered a litany of offences including the arrest of a man over suspected human trafficking.
On Monday 23 January 2023 officers were in Harmer Street where they stopped 87 vehicles as part of an operation to identify vehicles used in crime and motorists committing road traffic offences.
One driver, who was stopped for not wearing his seatbelt, was found to been outstanding for a European arrest warrant for domestic abuse and human trafficking offences. He has since been transferred into the care of another police force.
Another driver who was also seen not wearing his seatbelt, was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of drugs. He has been bailed until 21 April while enquiries continue.
Officers also arrested a man on suspicion of drug offences after he came to their attention.
During the operation eight traffic offence reports were issued to motorists for reasons including driving without a licence or insurance and not wearing a seatbelt.
One driver ignored a ‘no entry’ sign and two further motorists drove through a red light.
Gravesham Council’s environmental health team also joined officers during the operation where they spoke to 17 waste carrying vehicles and reported one for offences.
Insp Jamie Little, of north Kent Local Policing Team said: ‘This is the latest operation across the district and has yielded some great results. We are only interested in drivers who are knowingly breaking the law.
‘Pre-planned operations such as these are important to reassure residents that we not only reactively respond to incidents, but that we are proactively patrolling and are visible across the district as well.’
A 21-year-old man from Gravesend, has been charged with possession of class A drugs. He was bailed upon charge and is due to appear before Medway Magistrates’ Court on 22 February.