UNTAXED cars could be crushed, as Wiltshire Police takes on new powers to seize vehicles.

The force has had the power to take cars driven by those without a licence or insurance since 2005.

But from September 24, police will assume the power from the DVLA to seize untaxed cars, under what is known as devolved powers. 

Sgt Simon Drewett, head of the force's road safety unit, said: "It has long been known that vehicles driven without the correct documentation are many times more likely to be involved in both fatal and serious collisions; driven in either a careless manner or in poor condition and also by those who choose to flout legislation such as drink drivers.

"Our message is clear: tax it, insure it or lose it."

 

Sgt Simon Drewett

Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson said: “This may seem low level compared to other types of crime that the police deal with, but we’re told time and time again that it’s a frustration for the communities where these cars are parked.

“By picking up on these sorts of crimes the police are able to better prevent and detect further criminality. If you don’t adhere to the laws of the road with a roadworthy vehicle, carrying insurance and tax then you simply should not be driving one.”

On Tuesday, 10 untaxed vehicles in Pinehurst were clamped in an operation involving Tri-Force traffic officers. Four cars were seized for having no insurance and another driver was caught with a mobile phone in their hand.

 

One of the cars clamped in the Pinehurst operation.

Sgt Caroline Burt, Swindon North Community Policing Team deputy, said: "The aim of our operation was to reduce the amount of untaxed and uninsured vehicles on the roads in Pinehurst and I feel we have made a major dent in that number.

"The operation follows on from a number of reports from members of the public of anti-social behaviour in the area, which ties in with the use of illegal vehicles.

"The successful outcome is the result of local officers closely working with colleagues from Tri-Force Roads Policing and the DVLA - a partnership which we will use again as we continue to crack down on those vehicles and drivers which shouldn't be on our roads."