Two arrested on launch day of new anti-social driving crackdown
Operation Colossus, a joint initiative involving Cumbria Police's Operational Support Unit and Neighbourhood Policing Teams, began on Monday, August 4.
The operation forms part of a broader effort to improve road safety and address community concerns around anti-social vehicle use.
Deputy Chief Constable Jonathan Blackwell said: 'Operation Colossus is responding to local community concerns across Cumbria.
"You have told us that anti-social driving is a concern in different areas and that you want something to be done about it.
"We will work alongside Operation Enhance – the Constabulary's long-standing crackdown on anti-social behaviour in hotspot areas, whilst enhancing road safety around the county to address your concerns.'
During checks conducted on Duke Street, the A595, and in Cleator Moor, 64 vehicles were stopped.
Within the first hour, officers arrested a 35-year-old woman and a 49-year-old man, both from Whitehaven, on suspicion of drug driving offences.
One vehicle was also seized for being driven without insurance. Both individuals have since been released under investigation.
Additional results from the day's operation include:
11 roadside drug wipes and alcohol tests
11 educational interventions
Three vehicles seized (one driven by a disqualified driver, one with no licence, and one with no insurance)
One stop search
One traffic offence report issued
Cumbria's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: 'Operation Colossus is all about listening to communities and taking visible action.
"Dangerous driving and anti-social vehicle use are dangerous and make people feel unsafe. They present a clear danger to other road users and themselves and that's not acceptable.
"This operation is part of our wider commitment to making Cumbria's roads and neighbourhoods safer as part of the Safer Summer Cumbria Initiative. It is what I promised that we would do and that is what we are delivering on"
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