COUNTRYSIDE constables are continuing to put their foot down against law-breaking motorists.

Teams of officers are regularly taking to the road on the lookout for drink/drug drivers, uninsured drivers, speeding motorists and anyone clocking up road-related offences.

Tarporley is among the communities being targeted by Special constables and officers from the Community Action Team based at Dragon Hall.

During one recent five-hour operation 10 cars were stop-checked and two drivers were issued with fines for minor offences.

Operations are scheduled to continue throughout the year.

Speed guns, high-visibility foot patrols and marked police car patrols are all being used.

PC Chris McCourt, who is leading the work, said: 'We know that many rural residents are concerned about road-related issues. That's why this part of our work is so important.

'This work is aimed at addressing some of those issues and I'd like to reassure people this is a long-term approach to ensure we keep up the pressure.

'The overall aim is to detect and deter all types of road-related offences. There's no doubt this makes our roads safer for all types of road users.'

Tackling drink/drug driving and speeding are often priorities for roads policing initiatives but the work is also designed to deal with the anti-social use of vehicles.

This is an issue which causes distress to many communities and police now have the power to seize vehicles being used in this way.

PC McCourt said: 'The important thing for people to remember is that we are dedicated to dealing with any issues which are affecting the quality of life in communities.

'On the roads, this can be anything from speeding to excessive noise from cars which are razzing around neighbourhoods.

'We want the roads to be safe and we will use all the powers available to help us achieve that.'

The operations are regularly taking place in all the rural communities. The target locations change throughout the shift and a number of communities are often tackled in one day.

Full-time PCs, Special constables and police community support officers - also called traffic community support officers - are all involved.