One year on: Police reflect on operation to clamp down on persistent motoring offenders
By Grace Kennington 4th Jun 2026
Leicestershire Police look back on the successes of the first year of Operation Hopper.
Operation Hopper is a targeted enforcement initiative designed to 'identify and disrupt persistent motoring offenders who pose the greatest risk to road users.'
Over the last 12 months, the operation has led to the seizure of 105 vehicles, all of which were uninsured and collectively linked to over five hundred outstanding speeding and red-light offenses.
One driver alone had amassed 45 penalty point, which is significantly more than the amount usually needed for a license to be revoked.
The vehicle seized under Operation Hopper have been scrapped, sold at auction or returned to finance companies, depending on the legal status and ownership of the vehicle.
This operation has been strengthened through information sharing between the Road Safety Unit and the Roads Policing Unit, enabling them to identify high risk drivers quickly and effectively.
Matthew Chester, Road Safety Unit Manager at Leicestershire Police, said: 'Operation Hopper intends to send out a clear warning to those drivers who think they can flout the law and pose the highest risk to innocent road users.
'Arrests have been made, cars have been seized, and we will continue to take decisive action to protect the public.
'This anniversary marks not just a year of enforcement, but a year of partnership, prevention, and progress.
'Operation Hopper will continue to evolve as we work to make the roads across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland safer for everyone.'
In the first year, Operation Hopper has become a key part of Leicestershire Police's wider road-safety strategy and it is supporting the force's long-term commitment to reducing collisions, safeguarding communities, and ensuring persistent offenders face meaningful consequences.
Going forward, the operation will continue to collaborate with the Road Safety Unit to 'expand intelligence-led enforcement' and enhanced use of data analytics to identify repeat offenders earlier. They also hope ongoing public engagement will raise awareness posed by uninsured and high-risk drivers.
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