Why was there a major police presence on the Isle of Wight

Islanders may have spotted a significant police presence on the Isle of Wight on Wednesday and Thursday (April 17 and 18), amid a large scale operation.

Officers arrested a number of outstanding suspects from crimes such as stalking, domestic abuse, shoplifting and making threats to kill, as well as intercepting driving offenders.

A vehicle being seized by police in Fairlee Road (Image: Hampshire and IW Constabulary)

Islanders will likely have seen uniformed officers along Fairlee Road, Blackwater Road and around Cowes.

As a result of the operation, a number of road offences were identified and dealt with, including: 

• Five drivers arrested on suspicion of drug driving, in addition to multiple other drug wipes conducted on drivers
• Four drivers dealt with for having no insurance
• One driver dealt with for driving without a licence
• Two vehicles seized for having no tax, and a further vehicle stopped for having no tax (which was then purchased at the roadside)
• Two drivers caught using their mobile phones
• One driver caught speeding
• One driver dealt with for having a defective tyre
• Two drivers dealt with for having no MOT
• One driver dealt with for having an insecure load
• One driver dealt with for a vehicle defect

Suspected drug driver arrested on Fairlee Road (Image: Hampshire and IW Constabulary)

• See Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary video below.

You might have seen us this week..

Policing teams across #IOW have joined together as part of proactive efforts to tackle Island criminality.

Sgt Matt Tasker talks through some of the week's activities & further details & images from the week are here >>>https://t.co/FNyLeEQQdN pic.twitter.com/0xs8Rsinj0

— Isle of Wight Police (@IOWightPolice) April 19, 2024

Armed response sergeant Matt Tasker, who organised the operation, said: “This operation was a joint venture between the armed response teams, roads policing teams, CID, neighbourhoods teams and district response teams.

“The aim of this operation was in part to identify those criminals who use the Island’s road network to commit crime.

“Police have also been conducting high visibility patrols across the Island.

“Teams across the Island have also been out developing drugs intelligence, and we’ve also arrested a number of outstanding suspects for offences such as stalking, domestic abuse and making threats to kill.