THREE people have been charged with serious motoring offences following a routine traffic operation in Southend.

The trio, who were arrested and charged with offences committed throughout the course of the day, were caught during an Essex Police operation on Prince Avenue, Southend, and London Road, Westcliff, in which 160 vehicles were stopped.

Danny Bellamy, 30, of Orchard Side, Leigh, was charged with taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent, driving without insurance, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and driving without wearing a seatbelt.

He is due to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on August 7.

Shane Wheeler, 28, of Crowstone Road, Westcliff, was charged with theft and fraud by false representation and is due to appear at Basildon Magistrates' Court on August 13, while Dominic Kingham, 26, of no fixed address, was charged with driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

He is due to appear at Southend Magistrates' Court on August 7.

Of the 160 vehicles stopped on July 8, 109 people were stopped for not wearing a seat belt, 22 for driving while usingamobile phone, eight for driving without insurance, two for driving without an MOT and one for careless driving.

Nine vehicles were taken off the road due to defects while six vehicles were seized for being uninsured.