A “unique” traffic operation carried out by members of Redbridge’s special constabulary saw drivers fined and a search for drugs carried out on Saturday.

Eleven members of the part-time volunteer section of the police force took to High Road, Seven Kings under the direction of Sgt Jason Davis, close to McDonald’s.

Between 20 to 30 vehicles were stopped, with plain-clothed officers acting as “spotters” and uniformed officers stopping the vehicles.

Fixed penalty notices were issued for people driving while on mobile phones and not wearing seatbelts – including a toddler spotted unsecured in the back seat.

Vehicles without road tax were reported and a vehicle search was carried out for cannabis.

Mr Davis said: “Advice was also given to motorists on car security [and] the operation disrupted the movement of potential burglars in the area between the times of the operation.”