Police join forces to launch crack down on rogue drivers A police and customs operation starts this weekend targeting drivers using illegal fuel.
Merseyside Police's commercial vehicle unit is joining forces with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs to carry out the enforcement activity in central Liverpool.
The general road-worthiness of all vehicles that are stopped will be checked but officers are also stopping commercial vehicles such as taxis, lorries and vans to check they aren't using laundered fuel or 'red diesel', which is illegal.
Sergeant Craig Arnold from the force's commercial vehicle unit, said: "The aim of this operation is to ensure that everyone we stop is running a vehicle that is roadworthy and safe, rather than illegal or dangerous. Any vehicle may be stopped during the operation and we will be checking anything from tyre tread and headlights to the type of fuel they are using.
"Illegal fuel is a significant problem as it is unregulated, dangerous and untaxed. People who drive commercial vehicles using this kind of fuel are cheating the system and operating at an unfair advantage over law-abiding drivers trying to make an honest living.
"This operation is all about sending out a clear message to rogue drivers like this that if you continue to operate outside the law, you will be caught and prosecuted."
Police officers will work alongside officials from HMRC and and the city council to offer advice to first time offenders and educate them about the dangers of driving a vehicle that is not roadworthy.
Pat Curtis, HMRC Road Fuel Testing Unit Manager said: "HMRC are working with our enforcement partners at this multi-agency exercise to tackle taxi and private hire related crime. We are primarily checking for duty and tax offences associated with illegal road fuel use, however, our officers will also be looking for any smuggled goods being transported.”
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