Operation takes dangerous vehicles off the roads

Dozens of dangerous vehicles were taken off the roads last week as part of an operation to crack down on uninsured drivers.

The action was part of Operation Drive Insured – a campaign developed by Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MiB) in partnership with the National Roads Policing Operations, Intelligence and Investigation (NRPOII) committee to detect and seize uninsured drivers.

Evidence shows that drivers without insurance are more likely to commit a ‘hit and run’ and be involved in other crimes, such as using a stolen vehicle, driving while disqualified or substance abuse.

The operation saw the force’s Roads and Armed Policing officers carry out extra patrols across the force’s roads, with additional funding from MiB and PCC Joy Allen.

And a total of 36 vehicles seized solely for no insurance whilst another nine were taken off the roads for further offences including being suspected stolen vehicles.

Strategic Roads Policing Inspector Andy Howarth said: “We will use everything in our toolkit to target criminals using our roads and having no insurance is often one of the first red flags to our officers.

“Whilst some people innocently forget to renew their insurance, more often than not, it is criminals that don’t have it so and we will continue to remove these dangerous vehicles from our roads.”