A CRACKDOWN on motorists prompted by a hit and run accident involving a nine-year-old boy from Leigh has netted 16 arrests and 28 summons. Traffic cops stopped more than 100 cars during the spot checks which lasted two weeks at the end of February. The operation was launched after schoolboy Thomas Wilson was mowed down by a driver on a pedestrian crossing on Chapel Street, Leigh, on January 30. The St Joseph's Primary pupil is still recovering at his home in Bond Street after having metal pins inserted in a broken thigh. The campaign targeted the main offenders such as banned, drunk, unlicensed and uninsured drivers -- as well as defective vehicles. Sgt Mark Bradley said: "Motorists in Westleigh, Atherton and Tyldesley areas were targeted in response to accidents where vehicles fail to stop. Research shows that a large percentage of persons responsible for failing to stop after an accident are in fact the same persons that commit a large number of other crimes and are often also disqualified from driving or have been drinking."

The 18 people arrested were charged with a number of driving and other offences and 28 people were sent summonses for lesser traffic offences.