FOUR vehicles were confiscated and one man charged with criminal damage following a sting operation in Devizes Market Place last Thursday evening.

Officers from the automatic number plate recognition team, based at Devizes borough police station in New Park Street, carried out the operation between 3pm and 6pm.

It focused on crime and driving standards and officers with vehicles were stationed at five points around the Market Place.

They made one arrest for criminal damage. The suspect has since been charged and will shortly be appearing before magistrates at Chippenham.

Two drivers were reported for document offences and another two were issued with fixed penalty tickets for having no insurance.

One driver was issued with a ticket for not having a valid vehicle excise licence and three were issued with vehicle defect rectification notices, meaning they had to see to defects on their cars in a given time or face prosecution.

One drink/drive breath test was administered but it was negative.

Inspector Dean Knight from Devizes police said: "This was a very successful operation and this will be a strong warning to those who are considering breaking the law in Devizes.

"Their behaviour will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly by my officers."