THREE lorries were seized and 16 vehicles ordered off the road in an operation targeting illegal fly-tippers.

Police officers joined the Environment Agency, vehicle inspectors and council enforcement officers to carry out stop checks in Stockton yesterday.

Operation Luxembourg was launched in the Newtown and Ragworth areas following complaints about dumped rubbish.

More than 30 vehicles were stopped and a 7.5tonne wagon carrying scrap, which had no operator's licence, was seized.

A transit van was also seized along with an uninsured flat-bed wagon. One of the drivers didn't have a driving licence.

Three fixed penalty notices were issued for seatbelt offences and 16 vehicles had prohibition notices issued. They were ordered off the road until the defects are fixed.

Inquiries are now under way by Environment Agency officials into nine vans and transfer of waste offences.

Operation Luxembourg follows problems in the area, just outside the town centre, as a result of rubbish being dumped and set alight.

Sergeant Tracy Smurthwaite, who helped organised the event, said it was a successful result and similar operations will be carried out in the future.

Colleague PC Andrew Richmond, who took part in the operation, said: "There were 11 officers involved, with help from a traffic unit. A variety of vehicles were stopped.

"Some were carrying general scrap, but others had washing machines and scrap metal. They were all stopped in the area of where we had received reports of fly-tipping.

"There are similar operations planned and they will take place wherever the intelligence leads us.

"We need help from the public - they are our eyes and ears and should call the police if they see evidence of fly-tipping."