Kent Police Crack Down on Speeders and Drug Dealers in One-Day Blitz
Kent Police launched a high-octane, no-nonsense operation on Tuesday 17 October 2023, targeting road safety and crime around Folkestone. The Road Safety Unit teamed up with the Proactive Target Team, local cops, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, and HM Revenue and Customs for a full-throttle day of patrols.
Speed Demons Caught Red-Handed
Officers prowled the streets in marked and undercover vehicles, including a speed camera van and a police motorcycle. The speed trap on Dover Road clocked a whopping 40 vehicles over the 30mph limit, with the worst offender—a motorcyclist—blazing past at 67mph.
Drug Bust and Burglary Arrests Shake Sandgate
While on patrol in Lower Sandgate Road, police witnessed suspected drug dealing. Two suspects were stopped and searched, revealing around 100 wraps of suspected class A drugs. A 56-year-old Dover man was arrested for possession with intent to supply.
Meanwhile, a 39-year-old Folkestone man, wanted in connection with a burglary from 14 October, was also arrested during the operation. Both men have been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Other Major Seizures and Traffic Offences
- A vehicle at M20 Junction 10a was seized after it was found carrying cloned plates and suspected to be stolen. Police are investigating its true identity.
- A reckless taxi driver was caught speeding at 94mph on the M20 and issued a traffic offence report. His details will be passed to the taxi licensing authority.
- Additional arrests and reports included six drivers caught without seatbelts, five uninsured drivers, two caught using phones behind the wheel, one with illegal window tints, and two with dangerously worn tyres.
“My team regularly carry out traffic operations across the county. This time, we focused on areas of concern around Folkestone,” said Sergeant Grant Steele of the Road Safety Unit. “Speeding on Dover Road was a major problem, and more than 20 people were reported for various traffic offences.”
