AN OPERATION launched by Special Constables to improve road safety and tackle anti-social behaviour in the Dursley area has been hailed a success.

The operation, carried out as part of the Home-Office backed National Specials Weekend, saw a group of 12 Specials perform roadside stop checks in Cam, Dursley, Berkeley and Wotton-under-Edge between 7pm on Friday, February 25 and 3am the following morning.

The officers stopped 34 vehicles and five drivers were given verbal cautions for offences that included defective lights, speeding and not wearing a seatbelt.

Two other motorists were reported for not having valid road tax and driving documents.

The second part of the operation involved Specials making high-visibility foot patrols in Berkeley and Wotton-under-Edge in response to concerns about youths engaging in nuisance behaviour.

More than 20 youths were spoken to in Wotton-under-Edge about anti-social activity, alcohol was seized from a number of under-age drinkers and two youths were given warnings in relation to public order offences in the Cam and Dursley areas.

During the evening Dursley Specials also assisted regular colleagues with a number of incidents, including the searching of two youths on suspicion of vehicle crime.

Gloucestershire's Assistant Chief Constable, Operations, Mark Polin, Chief Insp Mark Organ, of Stroud police and Stroud MP David Drew joined the Specials for part of their operation.

Section Officer Steve Lindsay, who took part in the operation, said the volunteer officers had performed well.

"We spent a large number of hours taking part in high visibility patrols within the Dursley Inspector Neighbourhood Area," he said.

"Operations such as this not only help to raise the profile of the Special Constabulary - which was the main aim of National Specials Weekend - but also make a significant contribution towards reducing crime and disorder in the Dursley area."

Anyone interested in joining the Special Constabulary, or who would like to find out more about the work they do, should call 01212 276343.