Motorists were pulled over and their cars, lorries and cattle trucks rigorously examined in a police operation targeting vehicles in Warminster on Wednesday.

Police arrested one driver for drink driving who blew four times over the legal limit and had no insurance.

Two vehicles were also seized for having no insurance and prohibitions were issued for offences such as insecure loads and no MoT.

Red diesel, car mechanics and animal welfare were also checked as part of Operation Engage along with scrap metal licenses, number plates and vehicle identification numbers.

Swabs were taken from drivers to test for drugs using an ION Track machine giving instant results.

The day was led by Wiltshire Police’s Rural Crime Team, who were keen to focus on vans and trailers travelling on the A350 in Warminster. They were joined by HM Revenue and Customs, Wiltshire Council and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Craig Hardy from Wiltshire Police was inspecting the vehicles. He said: “So far I’ve had three farm trailers carrying livestock which have all got various defects from no brakes, no brake lights and wheel bearings that are excessively worn, which means the wheels are at risk of coming off.

“We’ve only had six or seven vehicles in so far, in which half have been taken off the road, so it proves that people do need the message reinforcing about the condition of their vehicle.”

Sarah Cunningham, public protection officer in animal health and welfare at Wiltshire Council, checked vehicles carrying livestock.

She said: “We like to keep reminding people that keeping your livestock vehicles clean could prevent diseases like TB and foot and mouth coming about in the future.”

At Warminster:
• 28 vehicles were stopped
• Five immediate prohibition notices were served for unroadworthy vehicles (four of which were defective trailers).
• During the check a vehicle towing a trailer was involved in a road traffic collision on the A350 at Warminster which was a result of poor trailer maintenance. Fortunately no one was injured but this highlights the importance of ensuring proper vehicle maintenance.
• Five fixed penalty notices issued for offences including no insurance, no MoT, dangerous load and overweight vehicle.
• Two vehicles were seized because of no insurance
• One animal welfare issue dealt with relating to transportation of livestock
• One person was dealt with in relation to waste carrying offences.
• Also employed at the check was ION Track a device which is used to detect if a vehicle or person has come into contact with controlled substances, there was a 35% hit rate which resulted in two negative drug searches.
• One person arrested for drink-driving. The woman provided a specimen of 142mg compared to the legal limit of 35mg.