The number of deaths and serious injuries on West Norfolk's roads fell slightly last year, police said today.There were 153 fatal or serious injury collisions - 25 of them fatal, 128 causing serious injury - on West Norfolk and Breckland's roads in 2006/7, compared to 160 the previous year and 169 the year before that.

The number of deaths and serious injuries on West Norfolk's roads fell slightly last year, police said today.

There were 153 fatal or serious injury collisions - 25 of them fatal, 128 causing serious injury - on West Norfolk and Breckland's roads in 2006/7, compared to 160 the previous year and 169 the year before that.

The news came as police revealed they had ordered three defective vehicles off the road while carrying out spot checks yesterday.

The operation, in partnership with officers with Vehicle Standards Agency, saw random checks of vehicles travelling along the A10 near King's Lynn.

“Today's operation, and similar proactive work by Western Area Roads Policing officers, is all aimed at reducing the number of people killed and serious injured by improving road safety and driver standards,” said Western Area roads policing inspector Julian Moulton.

“While some may feel such operations are an inconvenience, it is a small price to pay to help make our roads safer and ensure fewer people are hurt or killed. I am very grateful for everyone's co-operation, road users and partner agencies alike.

“The message is that through a campaign of directed operations we are making the roads in Norfolk Safer and there will be continued programs throughout the coming year targeting problems including drink drivers, defective vehicles and transport, those driving illegally as well as road safety campaigns for children.”

The checks were in place of a planned operation to target schools' transportation which was postponed until a later date due to today's strike action.

Action taken by officers in this morning's operation included:

Two immediate prohibitions for 4x4 vehicles carrying towing trailers with defective tow bars;

The prohibition of a vehicle for a defective tyre and another for a defective handbrake;

Three verbal warnings for minor lighting offences;

One HGV driver given a notice of prohibition to rectify tacograph defects;

A Spanish lorry driver ordered to lay up for 24 hours after exceeding regulated driving hours.