News

On Wednesday 7th October I teamed up with Giles Barnard from Shepway Community Safety Unit in the back of a marked police car to witness first hand how Operation Cubit operated.

Operation Cubit is a multi agency exercise involving Kent police, DVLA and District Council in carrying out a blitz on untaxed vehicles on the highways, not only are the owners of such vehicles breaking the law the vehicles are invariably uninsured , in poor condition and a liability to other road users.

On the day I was with the team we started in Hawkinge which forms part of North Downs East Ward for whom I am a councillor. I am quite pleased to report that only three potentially offending vehicles were identified and following properly instigated checks with the DVLA including whether a SORN (Statutory Off Road Declaration. In such cases vehicles may be kept on private property untaxed but must not be parked or used on the highway.) declaration had been made only one was actually taken away.

Officers used discretion in another case where the vehicle tax was only just a month overdue but a valid disabled badge was displayed and it was felt that the owner may not have good reason for being overdue.

The third case involved a vehicle not parked on a highway but was on Shepway property. In such cases the DVLA cannot authorise removal therefore Community Safety officer will need to return and apply a warning notice and if the owner fails to take appropriate action the Council will make other arrangements for the vehicles removal.

From Hawkinge we moved into Folkestone and a further 3 vehicles were removed and two further owners chose to pay on site with an accompanying fine.

I then experienced an unexpected blue flashing light incident.

The police officers keen eye had spotted an accident damaged vehicle which was clearly unroadworthy being driven in the opposite direction of travel to the police car.

Our police driver quickly turned his car round and switched on blue lights and siren upon which the offending driver wisely pulled over.

After questioning the police officers use their discretion and issued a statutory notice which required the driver to take the vehicle straight in for repair. Failure to comply and evidence such compliance will result in a prosecution for the owner.

During the week a total of 29 vehicles were removed on specially equipped lorries, a further 7 owners took the opportunity to pay their road tax on site together with a hefty fine.

An interesting experience for me and one in which the public seemed to be clearly sympathetic with the cause.

Cllr David Godfrey

North Downs East Ward.