Civilian traffic officers have been given the power by Essex Police to pull drivers over to check for motoring offences.
Staff of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency will be able to stop vehicles without a police presence.
They will make spot checks on vehicle tax, MoTs, insurance and emission levels. Patrols will have yellow and black vehicles with a flashing sign emitting a "pull over" message.
Insp Simon Morgan, of Essex Police, said: "Traffic officers no longer need to be present but instead can concentrate on their core policing duties of casualty reduction and tackling crime and disorder."
Published Thursday August 12, 2004
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