TEN men were arrested at the roadside in Slough and South Bucks as a police operation cracked down on alleged criminals using the road network to carry out their deeds.

Thames Valley Police (TVP) confirmed this week it had arrested four men respectively during the first stage of Operation Titan in Iver and Denham on Monday, April 3.

Following the stop of one car, officers seized a large quantity of a substance believed to be cocaine. They said if it proves to be cocaine, the estimated street value would be around £100,000.

A 24-year-old from Kent was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possession of Class A with intent to supply. He was later released from custody but remains under investigation.

Meanwhile, six men were arrested in Slough on Thursday, April 6 after being stopped in vehicles - with three suspected of drug dealing, police said.

An 18-year-old man from Slough was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply, dangerous driving and failing to stop. He was later released from custody but remains under investigation.

Separately two men, aged 31 and 34, both from Slough, were arrested together on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply. They were also released from custody but remain under investigation, police said.

TVP used the latest ANPR technology (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) to help them decide on which vehicles to stop, whilst working alongside experts from partner agencies including the DVLA, Immigration and the Motors Insurers’ Bureau. The operation covered other areas in the Thames Valley as well as Hampshire.

Inspector Simon Hills, who headed up the operation, said: “This is an important operation because people living and working in Thames Valley and Hampshire deserve to have roads that they can enjoy, free from the fear of either crime, death or serious injury.

“Operations like this are key to improving road safety and making sure that criminals don’t travel into our area and disrupt our lifestyle."

Additionally 16 drivers were stopped in Slough for driving without insurance - with 15 vehicles being taken from them. Seven vehicles were stopped for no vehicle tax and also seized.

Meanwhile in Iver and Denham, eight vehicles were stopped for no insurance with seven vehicles taken from the owners. And five vehicles were seized from 11 drivers who were stopped for having no vehicle tax. TVP added that two vehicles in South Bucks were believed to have been stolen and were recovered.