Thousands of uninsured vehicles seized
Almost 10,000 vehicles were seized by West Midlands
Police in 12 months as part of on-going action to tackle uninsured
drivers.
An average of more than 800 law-breakers a month were caught as
the force took action against those illegally and unfairly taking
to the road.
Vehicles which are seized for not being insured can be crushed
or sold off at auction if the owner doesn't provide the necessary
documents to police within seven days.
Those caught driving without insurance face being hit with
between six to eight points on their licence, a £300 fixed penalty
notice or substantial fine if the matter is pursued through the
courts.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition
cameras help police spot uninsured drivers (stock image)
In total there were 9,918 vehicle taken off the streets by WMP
and Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) between March last year
and this February.
Around £70,000 was raised through the auction of vehicles during
this period - and cash generated is re-invested into initiatives
such as the Active Citizens Fund.
The force has also tried to take pre-emptive action to avoid it
getting as far as uninsured drivers getting behind the wheel - with
warning letters sent to previous offenders re-iterating the
consequences.
Superintendent Dean Hatton, Head of West Midlands Roads
Policing, said: "It is not just illegal but completely unfair on
other road users to drive without insurance.
"This is not something we take lightly and we are determined to
stop those breaking the law; and protecting those who insure
correctly but can be innocent victims."
The force works in partnership with other organisations such as
the DVLA and Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) to crackdown on
law-breakers.
To help catch uninsured drivers the force uses ANPR camera
systems that scan 1,000s of number plates an hour to help officers
identify vehicles being driven without cover.
Each number plate image is fed into a computer system which can
check the details of the vehicles against various databases,
including the Police National Computer (PNC) and information held
by the DVLA and MIB.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said:
"I introduced police powers to seize and destroy uninsured vehicles
as a transport minister back in 2004. This was in answer to the
menace of uninsured drivers, who are often in untaxed and unsafe
vehicles.
"I know that the vast majority of law-abiding motorists will
welcome this continued action by West Midlands Police, as they are
sick of paying the price for uninsured drivers."
Anyone with information on those suspected of driving without
insurance is urged to contact police.