Police report a successful road safety initiative last Friday across the Highlands and Islands

3rd December 2013

Police are reporting the success last Friday of a road safety initiative across the Highlands and Islands as part of the continuing Operation Route.

On Friday 29 November 2013, officers were deployed throughout the Division to focus on vehicle checks with the aim of improving road safety and deterring travelling criminals.

Police officers carried out over 85 vehicle searches with five vehicles and fourteen persons searched for drugs and stolen property, of which one resulted in a positive search for drugs. A further three people were reported for road traffic offences and one Road Traffic Antisocial Behaviour Order was issued.

In addition to Operation Route there was a series of high profile licensed premises checks in the Lochaber area as part of an ongoing series of test purchasing operations across the Highlands and Islands.

One notable aspect of the road safety initiative was the support from specialist units, the Force Flexible Policing Unit and the Trunk Road Patrol Group, both of which were recently launched to the Highlands and Islands area.

Divisional Road Policing Inspector Neil Lumsden said: "Police Scotland would like to thank the members of the public who assisted police in their activities on Friday evening.

"As we move towards the busy festive period, police activity on the roads across the Highlands and Islands makes a significant contribution in helping to keep people safe.”