A CRACKDOWN on criminal drivers across the Thames Valley has seen 18 people arrested and hundreds of motorists stopped.

Thames Valley Police, working alongside Hampshire Police led one of the largest ever joint operations.

Over four days people were arrested on suspicion of possession of class A drugs and theft.

One driver stopped during Operation Titan was found with a mysterious substance thought to be cocaine with a street value of £100,000.

Police used motorcycles, marked and unmarked cars and the specialist Commercial Vehicle Unit as they patrolled sites around the two counties.

Across the four day operation 42 vehicles were seized for having no insurance or licence. Two drivers were stopped for having no insurance or licence but kept their vehicles.

A total of 21 vehicles were seized for having no Vehicle Excise Licence and 14 drivers were stopped for having no Vehicle Excise Licence without their vehicle being seized.

Five drivers were reported for driving while disqualified and five vehicles believed to be stolen were recovered including a digger thought to be worth £12,000.

The operation was led by inspector Simon Hills.

"Operation Titan is one of the largest joint roads policing operations run in Thames Valley and Hampshire," he said.

“We have targeted four locations over four days across the two force areas to deny criminals the use of the roads.

“This is an important operation because people living and working in Thames Valley and Hampshire deserve to have roads that they can enjoy, free from the fear of either crime, death or serious injury.

“My message to criminals who are thinking of visiting Thames Valley and Hampshire is don’t.

“You don’t know where we are going to be next, we will be running more of these operations, we will be targeting you and we will make the five counties of Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight safer for everyone.”

He added: “The operation has been very successful. It is exactly what we hoped it would be and of course, we are looking to do further operations in the future.

“We have had a large number of people arrested for serious offences such a possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply and stolen vehicles.

“We have also disrupted a large number of people who were breaking simple road traffic laws which were putting other people in danger.

“While support from the Commercial Vehicle Unit has allowed us to stop haulage vehicles to make sure they were complying with the current legislation."

Operation Titan was based around Slough on Thursday, April 6.  In total 16 drivers stopped for driving without insurance and 15 vehicles were seized. Three other drivers were reported for driving while disqualified.

A 38-year-old from Feltham, Middlesex was stopped for driving an untaxed vehicle and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs. He has been released pending further investigation.

An 18-year-old form Slough was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply, dangerous driving and failing to stop. He has been released pending further investigation.

A 31-year-old from Slough and his 34-year-old passenger also from Slough were arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply. They were released pending further investigation.

A 47-year-old from London wanted for theft was taken into custody.

Clint Rimancsy, 28, of Milton Close, Horton, was charged with failing to provide a specimen and bailed to attend court.

The Commercial Vehicle Unit stopped 15 vehicles. One driver was given a warning for carrying a hazardous cargo and 10 were given fixed penalties, warnings or advice regarding driving hours.