Police today carried out rigorous checks on motorcyclists and caravan users heading for the North Norfolk coast as the long bank holiday weekend got underway.

Police yesterday carried out rigorous checks on motorcyclists and caravan users heading for the North Norfolk coast as the long bank holiday weekend got underway.

Officers from the county's western area roads policing department led the roadside operation on major coastal routes in a bid to cut motorbike accidents and driving and vehicle offences, and to encourage responsible driver behaviour and vehicle security.

The initiative also involved the Special Constabulary, traffic wardens and Norfolk's Casualty Reduction Partnership working with the Vehicle and Operators Services Agency (VOSA), whose officers test the roadworthiness of vehicles.

Insp Julian Moulton of western area roads policing said: “North Norfolk is a gathering point for motorcyclists and their machines each weekend and at bank holiday many more can be expected on the roads, along with an influx of caravan users heading to coastal sites.

“While most road users are responsible, historically this increase in road use does generate more complaints from members of the public surrounding noise and speed, and many collisions - some serious - involving people visiting the coast have taken place in the past.”

The operation included speed checks on the A148, the A1065 between Swaffham and Fakenham and the A149 to Hunstanton, caravan checks carried out by VOSA and the use of an Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera to identify vehicles which are the subject of motoring offences.

Police officers and traffic wardens also offered advice and information on road safety, defensive driving techniques and crime prevention.