Double Trouble: Two Cars Seized, One Driver Arrested in Rutland Police Patrol
Leicestershire Police in Rutland reported a highly eventful Saturday evening where two separate vehicles were seized within a mere 30 minutes between Oakham and Langham, highlighting the necessity of proper documentation and responsible driving on public roads.
Officers conducting mobile patrols in the area, while moving between other incidents, initially had their attention drawn to a Honda driving through the village of Langham. Quick checks revealed that the driver was a provisional licence holder. Furthermore, the vehicle displayed no 'L' plates, and the driver was entirely unsupervised. The individual was reported for driving other than in accordance with a licence, which automatically invalidated his insurance, leading to a second charge.
As the officers were overseeing the loading of the Honda onto a recovery truck, a Ford car drove past towards Oakham. Concerned by quick checks, officers intercepted the vehicle near Catmose College. The driver explained he had just dropped off his child with a family member.
Checks confirmed the Ford had a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) in place. A SORN informs the DVLA the vehicle is not being kept or used on a public road, allowing the owner to avoid taxing and insuring it. Driving a SORN vehicle on a public road is illegal. The driver was immediately reported for driving without insurance and for having no vehicle tax, resulting in the second vehicle seizure of the evening.
However, the driver's ordeal was far from over. Officers detected a strong smell of alcohol and conducted a roadside breath test, which the driver subsequently failed. He was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and taken into custody. Just a few hours later, he was charged with drink driving and is scheduled to appear in court in the near future.
Leicestershire Police used the incidents as a stark warning to local road users. "If you're driving on public roads, please ensure you have all the required documentation in place and that your driving is safe & compliant," a police spokesperson stated.
The force particularly stressed the devastating consequences of driving under the influence. "If you're a drink driver, you're endangering the lives of pedestrians & other road users as well as your own. Consider also the massive impact losing your licence will inevitably have on you, your family & your job. It's just not worth the risk."
These two seizures serve as a potent reminder that police patrols are actively checking for compliance and dangerous driving, with severe legal and personal ramifications for those who break the law.
