More than 100 vehicles stopped in Gravesend traffic crackdown

Kent Police ran two targeted traffic operations across North Kent on 8 August and 15 August, stopping more than 100 vehicles in a single day and handing out a combined 72 Traffic Offence Reports. Officers from the Special Constabulary focused their efforts on Gravesend, Harmer Street, and the rural wards of Meopham, Istead Rise and Vigo.

The first operation, on 8 August, saw two illegal off-road motorbikes and e-bikes seized from rural areas, along with a van that had been sitting without road tax for nearly two years. Fourteen Traffic Offence Reports followed — mobile phone use, defective tyres, careless driving. Two riders caught tearing through farmers’ fields were fined for breaching a Public Space Protection Order.

Then came 15 August. High-visibility patrols along Harmer Street and through Meopham stopped more than 100 vehicles, generating 58 Traffic Offence Reports covering everything from driving without insurance to mobile phone use, careless driving, unlicensed drivers and four vehicles with no tax. An Audi A7, spotted driving in a nuisance manner around Gravesend, was seized — its driver received two TORs and a fine for breaching the Public Space Protection Order.

A Kent and Medway Speed Camera Van deployed during the operation caught 27 road users exceeding the speed limit, as well as a number of drivers for seat belt offences.

Chief Inspector Sarah Rivett said: “We take residents’ concerns about antisocial behaviour and nuisance vehicles very seriously and it is important those responsible are held accountable. Traffic enforcement operations like these are an important part of policing, helping keep road users safe and we will continue to target those who disregard the law and endanger others.”

Kent Police said the operations were part of an ongoing effort to tackle nuisance and dangerous driving across North Kent.