A DAY of action to tackle speeding motorists, drivers using red diesel and scrap dealers has been carried out in the North-East.

Police have been working with Durham County Council neighbourhood wardens, customs officers and benefits fraud investigators.

Operation Golden Glow started at 7am today (Friday, February 28) in the Leadgate area, near Consett, County Durham.

It was organised after police carried out a door-to-door survey to find out which issues concerned residents the most.

Officers visited every home in the Leadgate area, more than 2,400 properties, as part of Operation Opportunity Knocks in December.

The information gathered led to the operation today.

PCSO Lisa Jackson said: “It is a case of hopefully improving public reassurance and confidence in the police and showing we are listening to their concerns and acting on them.”

A total of 60 vehicles were stopped throughout the course of the day.

A 39-year-old driver, from Nottingham, was given a £535 fine for carrying red diesel in his Peugeot 406 and a warning for being in possession of cannabis.

Three scrap vehicles were issued with producer notices regarding their waste carrier licences by Durham County Council and seven people are to be investigated for benefits fraud.

One vehicle was issued with a warned for having defects and one motorist was giving a notice to produce his driving documents.

PCSO Jackson said: “It went a lot better than expected.”