A total of 4,752 vehicles including cars, motorbikes and mopeds have been seized since ‘Cars Behind Bars’ launched more than two years ago.
The scheme uses an automatic number plate recognition (ALPR) system which is able to identify those flouting the law.
Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis said the crackdown was a huge success and said it would continue its ‘momentum’ to track drivers breaking the law.
“The crackdown on insurance dodgers remains far and away the most popular thing raised with me by people I’ve spoken to across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent,” he said “Over 4,750 people have had to learn their lesson the hard way thanks to tremendous work by officers from Staffordshire Police – which has really gained momentum in recent months.
“Those who drive without insurance can’t hide in Staffordshire. They are being caught and dealt with by having their vehicles seized and, in many cases, scrapped or sold at auction. “It’s definitely struck a chord with law-abiding motorists who are hit by rising premiums because of these law-breakers. Why should all pay more because some people don’t pay at all?”
“It’s about fairness for law-abiding motorists who are hit by rising premiums because of these law breakers.
“People who drive without insurance have nowhere to hide. They are being caught and dealt with by having their cars seized and, in some cases, scrapped.”
As well as stopping those breaking the law, the cars are also doing their bit for the good of community with more than 125 higher-value uninsured vehicles sold off at auction with the proceeds going back into local communities in Staffordshire.
Assistant chief constable Jon Drake, from Staffordshire Police, added: “Thanks to Staffordshire’s extensive ALPR network system we are able to identify vehicles that are uninsured, as well as those that have no tax or are suspected of being involved in other crimes.
“We are committed to this area of policing and on a daily basis our officers seek out and target those committing these offences. ALPR is a vital tool in our crime-fighting armoury, as all too often those who choose to drive on our roads without insurance are linked to other criminal offences such as theft and burglary.”
For more information about the scheme visit www.staffordshire.police.uk/carsbehindbars
Source: Express & Star
