More than 30 vehicles were pulled over as they travelled into Norfolk in a multi-agency crackdown to tackle fuel and metal theft.

The event was part of Norfolk Police's Operation Radar campaign to target rogue traders, bogus callers and those involved in affiliated rural crime.

Local police officers and police community support officers joined forces with road policing colleagues, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), HM Revenue and Customs and the Department for Work and Pensions to identify and take action against offenders travelling along the A17 at Terrington St Clement and A47 at Walsoken.

Detective Sergeant Pete Jessop, the force's lead on Operation Radar, said: "The action was primarily intended to target those involved in fuel and metal theft, those driving illegally or in unroadworthy vehicles.

"These offences are often interlinked with other forms of criminality and, as such, form an integral part of our operation to target criminals operating in rural areas."

Wednesday's operation, led by Sgt Mark Cant from the Terrington Safer Neighbourhood Team, saw more than 30 vehicles pulled over for road safety and police checks.

During one stop, police seized eight suspected stolen catalytic converters. The boy and a 21-year-old, both from Terrington St Clement, were arrested on suspicion of theft and possession of an offensive weapon.

Yesterday a police spokesman said that they had been bailed.
As a result of a house search, a further 24 catalytic converters were recovered.

An on-the-spot £500 fine was issued to the driver of one vehicle found to be running on red diesel, the use of which is illegal in cars.

One uninsured vehicle was seized and compounded. Four prohibition notices were served by VOSA for defective vehicles and the repaired vehicles will need to be inspected or otherwise taken off the road.

Sgt Cant said: "This was an effective multi-agency operation to target criminals and illegal road users travelling into Norfolk.

"It is another example of the enforcement work that can be carried out by Safer Neighbourhood Teams to drive down crime in our communities."