Police swooped in on dangerous drivers and arrested or charged seven people during a random spot check at the end of last week.

Dozens of vehicles were stopped in the crackdown, and drivers arrested for a variety of offences.

One lorry driver was detained on suspicion of owing fines of more than £60,000 for human trafficking and for carrying too much beer.

Other offences drivers were arrested for included dangerous driving, suspected vehicle theft and intention to commit burglary.

In total, 61 drivers stopped for seat belt offences and 15 drivers stopped for using a hand-held mobile telephone. Fourteen were stopped for not having a valid MOT.

The ‘Surround the Town’ day was a joint venture put on by Thurrock Council and Essex Police designed to catch out people driving illegal vehicles, texting, or not wearing seatbelts.

The dangerous driving monitor had started on Thursday, and resulted in three arrests and two men being charged. 

Councillor Oliver Gerrish, Thurrock Council’s transportation portfolio holder, said afterwards: “This was the second SAT Day in Thurrock and people should not think that because we’ve done it twice, that’s it.

“We will be following up with mini SAT days to emphasize the dangers.”

Three areas were targeted in the spot-check crackdown: Grays, at Lodge Lane, South Ockendon, in South Road, and the Moto motorway service station near Lakeside – the latter being operated by Essex Police.

Mr Gerrish added: “Contrary to what most people would expect, only ten of those stopped were aged between 17 and 24, the biggest group was 25 to 39, where 36 people were caught and a further 27 were in the 40 to 54 age group.

“The vast majority were men and almost all the vehicles were cars (44) and vans (32)."

Other results from the day included 14 vehicles without a valid MOT; one vehicle seized for no insurance and the driver given a ticket for £300 and six penalty points; seven vehicles with illegal number plates each carrying a fine of £50; the driver of a stretch limo taking a hen party from Croydon to a hotel in north Essex who was fined £300 for driver hours offences; and the driver of a van who was found by the HM Revenue and Customs’ fuel-testing team to be illegally using red diesel and fined £545.

Police also stopped a lorry laden with beer (pictured) worth more than £100,000 and travelling from France to Northern Ireland. It was stopped for a routine check and found to have an insecure load.

Further investigations revealed the owners had their operator’s licence revoked in May this year and who were also suspected of owing more than £60,000 in fines imposed for carrying illegal immigrants.

The lorry (pictured) was detained by Border Force pending further enquiries. The driver was also fined £100 for having an insecure load.

Police also charged two men with driving offences on Thursday included two men arrested on the A13 near Orsett.

Kevin Bulmer, 26, unemployed, of no fixed address was charged with dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving while disqualified and using a vehicle without a valid test certificate.

Craig Feagan, 26, an asphalt layer, of no fixed address, was charged with dangerous driving, driving without insurance, using a vehicle without a valid test certificate and driving other than in accordance with a licence.

Both men are due to appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on Monday, August 17.

A 21-year-old man from Tilbury was arrested on the A13 near Orsett on suspicion of burglary, possession of a knife or bladed article, and going equipped to steal.

He was released on police bail until September 28, pending further enquiries.

Two men were arrested after officers acted on intelligence followed and stopped a car at Linford.

A 21-year-old from Tilbury was arrested on suspicion of theft from a vehicle and failing to stop when directed, and a 31-year-old man from Grays was arrested on suspicion of theft from a vehicle.

Both were released on police bail until September 30, pending further enquiries.

Another two vehicles were seized when officers found that the drivers were not insured and two partly-built vans were stopped and prohibited from the roads after being found travelling on the M25 without lights or number plates fitted.

The scheme is part of the Safer Essex Road Partnership Group’s countywide programme to cut road accidents and injuries and is run in partnership with Essex Police.