A POLICE road check found that more than half the goods vehicles they stopped were unfit for the road.

A total of 40 vehicles were checked throughout Wednes-day, March 7, at the weighbridge on the A31 at Ashley Heath, near Ringwood - and 22 failed to meet necessary safety standards.

Out of 17 light goods vehicles checked on the day, 12 were committing road offences and nine were banned immediately from the road for a range of brake, tyre and steering defects.

The large goods vehicles stopped included 11 foreign-registered vehicles, with one Dutch vehicle needing immediate repair to its brakes and tyres.

Sergeant Adrian Stevenson of the road policing unit said: "This operation is very much targeted at operators and drivers of vehicles who have no regard for the safety of others.

"What is particularly worrying is the high number of light goods vehicles found to be unroadworthy."

Other faults identified included eight brake defects, five light defects and two emission offences.

A 50-year-old man from Hampshire was arrested in relation to a driving licence offence.

The operation was carried out by Dorset Police's road policing unit, backed up by vehicle, environment, immigration and council agencies.

"This operation is a good example of Dorset Police working in partnership with other agencies towards a safer Dorset," said Sgt Stevenson.

"The road policing unit will continue to protect road users by targeting goods vehicle operators and drivers who flout the law and believe they will get away with it.

"I would like to thank those operators who do take road safety seriously, which goes a long way to help make the roads of Dorset and the wider area safer."

l Anyone with any information about illegal or unsafe vehicles should contact Dorset Police in confidence on 01202 or 01305 222222.