MORE than 260 vehicles were stop-checked by Mersey Tunnels police as part of a clampdown on crime overnight on Friday, December 11.

The Tunnels Police coordinated the joint agency “Operation Mercury”, launched to tackle illegal taxis, dangerous cars and Christmas drink drivers.

The police operation, based at the Kings Square exit of the Queensway Tunnel, was supported by VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency), immigration services and licensing enforcement officers from Wirral and Liverpool.

Councillor Mark Dowd, chair of Merseytravel, said: "The safety and security of drivers using the tunnels is paramount.

"This is an important operation and one that supports the high visibility patrols of our Tunnel Police force.

"Illegal drivers and drink drivers are not welcome.

"The two tunnels are some of the safest stretches of road in the country and we want to keep them that way."

Mersey Tunnels Police issued one fixed penalty notice for tyre offences and two stop notices for potential insurance offences.

During the operation 14 drivers were breathalysed; all passed; and 174 drivers were questioned in relation to the national drink drive campaign.

VOSA issued nine immediate prohibition notices; one delayed prohibition notice and launched one prosecution for vehicles deemed unroadworthy because of defects or faults.

Liverpool Taxi Enforcement team issued three suspension notices, five defect notices and three prosecutions to taxi drivers.

A total of 65 Liverpool-based taxis were stop-checked during the campaign.

Wirral Taxi Enforcement team issued three suspension notices and nine defect notices to taxi drivers.

A total of 32 Wirral-based taxis were stop-checked.

UK Border and Immigration Officers investigated nine suspected illegal immigrants with one investigation pending.

Neil Scales, chief executive and director general of Merseytravel, added: "The Mersey Tunnels have an extremely good safety record and this project is a great example of agencies working together to tackle crime and enforce the laws that are there to protect us.

"We have spent millions of pounds upgrading and improving both tunnels, including the new escape chambers in Queensway.

"It is important our enforcement matches that commitment."

Operation Mercury was set up to detect and prosecute unroadworthy cars and other vehicles, illegal taxis and drivers and a range of other offences.

The aim of the operation is to promote a safer environment in and around the Mersey Tunnels and their approach roads.

Previous operations have also included Merseyside Police and officers from Customs and Excise and Benefit Fraud Inspectorate.