LAST week, police launched the Operation Monarda – a nationwide bid to beat doorstep crime across Scotland.

To coincide with the launch, local community policing officers joined with colleagues from the divisional roads policing unit and motorcycle officers to conduct checks on vehicle and driver documentation at sites in North Ayrshire.

The police check sites in Ardrossan and Dalry were supported by representatives from the Vehicle and Operator Services Authority (VOSA) and Local Authority Trading Standards officers.

Over 70 vehicles were checked with 11 offences detected including vehicles allegedly being used without a valid MOT test certificate, whilst overweight and with illegal tyres.

A further four drivers were issued vehicle defect rectification notices by police for alleged defects including lights and a man found to be in possession of alleged class C drugs.

VOSA issued four immediate prohibitions for vehicles which were allegedly unroadworthy and required repair work.

A further two delayed prohibitions highlighted defects requiring attention.

PC Jason Peter who coordinated the operation said: “Today’s partnership operation was primarily about checking vehicle and driver documentation while ensuring vehicles were fit for the road.

“We also spoke with a number of tradespeople operating in the area to raise awareness on Operation Monarda and to highlight our work on doorstep crime – by working together we can beat bogus callers.”