Tuesday 3 March, 2025

Illegal cars have been seized and an arrest made in the latest day of action to improve a Huddersfield community.

Police and partners were again in force in Ashbrow in late February in a fresh multi agency operation to make roads and communities safer as part of an ongoing Clear Hold Build programme.

Officers joined forces with VDSA, DVLA and Kirklees Council taxi licencing for the day which saw police and partners stop and check a number of vehicles on roads including private, commercial and licensed taxis.

During the operation officers seized three vehicles for offences including having no insurance and recovered a stolen car.

A driver was arrested for taking a car without consent and traffic offence reports were issued for offences including having a fake MOT.

These offence reports are notices of prosecution and can see drivers be issued with fines, points or dealt with via other methods.

Thirty one taxis were also stopped and checked by Kirklees Council taxi licensing officials. Four of the taxis had faults which meant were also suspended from operating until vehicle faults were rectified.

The operation was the fourth recent large-scale initiative held as part of the Unity: Shape Up’ the Clear Hold Build initiative in Ashbrow since its formal launch on November 11th last year.

Two large operations in November and one in January this year saw police and partners make arrests, disrupt known offenders, carry out off road bike patrols and engage in large scale community clean ups.

Around £35,000 of illegal goods, profits from which could be used to fund organised crime, were also seized by trading standards officials.

Police Sergeant Aaron Stoney, who led the latest operation, said taxi safety standards had been a particular feature of the operation. He said: " Working closely with our partners has ensured that taxi licencing standards are maintained and vehicles inspected are safe.

“Those found to be under that required standard were dealt with, with vehicles then taken off the road to help keep the local community safe and prevent accidents.”

Inspector Amanda Holroyd of Kirklees District Police, said: “When we launched Unity: Shape Up last year we made a commitment to residents that they would see sustained work to reduce crime and improve life for communities in Ashbrow, and that is a commitment we are continuing to hold and work to."