A police operation targeting heavy goods vehicles resulted in 21 offences being detected.

Sussex Police roads policing unit, together with partner agencies VOSA and Customs and Excise, conducted a series of checks last week. It tied in with a national operation targeting national and international road hauliers.

The purpose of the operation was to detect offences, disrupt criminality and improve compliance with road safety legislation among the goods vehicle community.

Of the 52 goods vehicles that were stopped, 21 offences were detected, including vehicles with defects, tachograph and overweight offences, drivers failing to wear seat belts and using mobile phones.

Sgt Paul Wood, from the roads policing unit, said: “Officers routinely work with the other agencies to stop and check goods vehicles on the roads of Sussex.

“The vast majority of goods vehicle drivers are professional and responsible. It is our task to find the ones that aren't and deal positively with offences committed.

“Irresponsible drivers and poorly maintained vehicles pose a real danger to road safety which we take very seriously.”