A 'TEETERING two-tonne stack of pallets tied roughly to a Transit van' got one driver in trouble as police launched a crackdown this week.

Roads policing officers from Dorset Police were carrying out an operation at the Ashley Heath interchange when they spotted the van on the morning of Thursday, February 20.

It was one of nine vehicles dealt with for carrying excessive weight.

The weight of the pallets meant the Transit was carrying a load two tonnes heavier than it ought to have been, police allege.

It made the load 50 per cent higher than the maximum weight limit allowed, it is claimed.

The driver has been issued with a summons to appear at court.

Officers worked alongside officials from HM Revenue and Customs, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, the Environment Agency, the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service and Datatag.

Two vehicles were dealt with for having no tachograph, which records how many hours of driving have been completed, while another was seized due to not holding valid insurance.

Three vehicles were given a prohibition notice that prevented them from carrying on their journeys due to being seriously unsafe, police say.

One driver had an offensive weapon seized after he couldn’t explain why he was carrying a baseball bat on his back seat. Another motorist was reported for driving while disqualified.

Numerous other heavy goods and commercial vehicles were dealt with for offences including no MOT, missing number plates, defective tyres, waste offences, not wearing seatbelts and non-payment of the HGV levy.

Inspector Joe Pardey, of the traffic unit said: “It’s important we target all road users and the results from today’s operation, which forms part of a national week of action around heavy goods vehicles demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the roads are as safe as possible for all.

“We were joined by numerous other enforcement colleagues enabling us to target a greater variety of offences with their specialist powers, knowledge and expertise.

“If you have concerns about road users in your community, please report them to us by visiting dorset.police.uk or by calling 101.”