POLICE found 20 vehicles being towed dangerously during an operation to crack down on hazardous trailers and caravans.

Roads policing officers stopped 27 vehicles in Boreham Services Lorry Park, close to junction 19 on the A12, on Tuesday, August 1, alongside police partners the Central Registration and Identification Scheme.

Officers pulled over vehicles towing trailers, caravans and other vehicles and found just seven were clear of any faults.

Three were found to have incorrectly fitted or no breakaway cables fitted at all, one vehicle had poorly fitted tyres, four had no extendible mirrors fitted, three had inoperative lights on the trailer and one driver was found to be driving otherwise than in accordance with his driving licence. He received a fixed penalty notice.

Officers also dealt with four vans that were overweight and one car was stopped because the driver was not wearing a seat belt and had no insurance. The driver was fined and his vehicle was seized.

Pc Gary Winfield, of Essex Police’s Casualty Reduction Unit, said: “The operation was a success with officers finding 20 vehicles being towed in dangerous condition. If these vehicles were allowed to continue on their journeys, there could have been very serious consequences.

“Our officers dealt with all offending drivers at the roadside by either forcing them to make changes to their vehicles, by issuing fines and in one case, seizing a car.”