Update on A33 activity over the weekend

We want to thank the local community for their understanding this weekend whilst we allocated significant resources to the A33 and surrounding roads in the north of the county.

This was in response to information we received regarding unauthorised horse and trap racing which was planned to take place throughout the weekend.

Chief Superintendent Paul Bartolomeo said: “We are grateful to the community for their support, as well as our partners who helped in the careful management of this operation.

“Two sulky traps were seized by police on Sunday and three individuals were subject to Section 35 dispersal orders, however no racing or associated criminality has taken place.

"We’re pleased the operation has been carried out without any disruption to the road network in Hampshire, which is the best possible outcome for the local community.

“However, please be reassured that this does not mean that we are in any way being complacent.

“This situation will be monitored longer term, and we will continue to gather intelligence and work with the community moving forward. This is to ensure that we can prevent any potential future disruption to the road network in Hampshire, and robustly deal with any identified offences.”

Officers working in the area have also been proactive in identifying other offences not related to the operation. This resulted in the following:
• 1 motorist dealt with for drugs offences
• 3 motorists were dealt with for drink driving
• 1 motorist dealt with for driving whilst unfit through drink/drugs
• A wanted man arrested for failing to appear at court
• 5 vehicles seized for having no insurance

If you have any concerns or information regarding criminal activity on our roads, please contact police on 101 or on 999 if it is an emergency.