Warwickshire Police officers and staff have just had a very special weekend which saw seven people arrested and 17 vehicles seized in a multi agency operation in Alcester and Rugby.

Members of Warwickshire's Special Constabulary teamed up with officers from the force's Operations Task Force to mark the national Specials weekend (February 6 and 7) with a roads policing operation.

The aims of the ANPR led operation was to disrupt criminals who travel through the county as well as to detect vehicle crime and motoring offences.

It was jointly run by specials from Warwickshire, West Mercia and West Midlands police forces with support from regular officers and other agencies including HM Revenue and Customs and the DVLA.

It was the biggest operation of its kind to be led by Specials in Warwickshire and has given many of the officers the opportunity to learn new skills which they will be able to use in future policing operations.

For example some were trained in the use of an ionscan - a device which detects the presence of drugs and is usually deployed by Warwickshire Police at such events as Global Gathering.

They also used hand held PDAs which allowed them access to databases such as the Police National Computer (PNC) so that they could check credentials on the spot.

During the operation ANPR cameras were strategically located along key routes and any vehicles which registered a hit were intercepted and taken into the search area.

Once there they were directed to three bays where Special officers conducted interviews and vehicle checks.

On Saturday the operation was based at the Eddie Stobart Distribution Centre on the A435 Birmingham Road in Alcester.

There were 39 specials running the operation, 32 from Warwickshire and seven from West Mercia, along with 17 regular officers, 11 of whom were from Warwickshire and the remaining six from West Mercia.

During the six hour operation 76 vehicles were brought in to be checked, four of which were seized for offences including no insurance and use of red diesel.

Three people were arrested - one on suspicion of possession of class A drugs, one on suspicion on theft of a motor vehicle and one who had overstayed his permission to be in the country.

There were also more than 30 traffic offences detected with eight drivers receiving fixed penalty notices.

On Sunday the operation was based in the Retreat car park in Newbold Road, Rugby.

There were 50 specials running the operation, 39 from Warwickshire and 11 from West Midlands, along with 12 regular Warwickshire officers.

During the six and a half hour operation 96 vehicles were brought in to be checked, 13 of which were seized for a variety of offences.

Four people were arrested - one on suspicion of possession of class A and B drugs, one disqualified driver, one wanted on warrant, one for possession of an offensive weapon.

There were also more than 40 traffic offences detected with nine drivers receiving fixed penalty notices.

Running concurrently with this operation four Special Constables were on duty with Special Chief Inspector Simon Tipping, who stopped a further 43 cars in the Nuneaton area. No offences were disclosed but the officers provided visibility and community reassurance.

Warwickshire Specials chief officer Glyn Gardner said: "This was a great weekend for the Specials and an opportunity for them to get involved in a very worthwhile operation. I am sure that they have gained a lot from it."

Inspector Lucy Sewell, from Warwickshire Police's Operations Task Force, said: "This was the Specials' first ANPR operation on such a large scale, and the first time working with a neighbouring force and other agencies. It has proved the value of working with neighbouring forces to tackle cross border crime.

"The Specials achieved a great deal during both days and I believe that the operation has been very successful in supporting their development and confidence.

"Their enthusiasm and commitment shone through and they have proved the value and potential of using Police Specials in future operations to help to protect the community from harm."

Notes to editors:

1. Warwickshire Police has 204 specials which includes six Special Chief Inspectors six Special Inspectors 17 Special Sgts one Deputy Chief Officer and one chief Officer.

2. Special constables are volunteers who are asked to commit to a minimum of four hours a week.

3. For further information about becoming a special please call Warwickshire Police recruitment on 01926 415000.

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