Press release 32: DVLA seizes over 200 cars in car tax crime crackdown - Preston

DVLA advised motorists today to ensure their car tax is up to date after hundreds of illegal untaxed vehicles were removed from Preston’s streets.

 

During the three-month operation a fleet of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) vans, operated by contractor NCP, caught 235 vehicles without valid car tax. Of these illegal vehicles, over half were unclaimed and have been flattened and crushed to scrap metal.

 

The result of this car tax crackdown operation is great news for road safety in the Preston area. Since car tax can only be purchased with a valid MOT and insurance certificate, it reduces the number of potentially dangerous, untaxed, uninsured and unroadworthy vehicles on the road, helping to make the roads a safer place.

 

By targeting untaxed vehicles, DVLA is also helping to fight wider vehicle crime. Occupants of untaxed cars are more likely to be involved in criminal activities involving drugs, anti-social behaviour, burglary and violent crime. Therefore, by taking cars away from criminals, they are denied use of the road.

 

NCP's new fleet of vans are specially equipped with the state-of-the-art ANPR technology that can automatically check numberplates against a list of untaxed vehicles in a matter of seconds.

 

This is bad news for car tax evaders because any car identified as untaxed will be immediately clamped and impounded and those not claimed after seven days could be crushed.

 

Roads Minister, Stephen Ladyman said: "The clampdown on car tax evasion is great news for law abiding motorists and bad news for criminals. We are committed to helping reduce car crime and making the streets safer for everyone."

 

Bethan Beasley, Head of Wheel Clamping at DVLA, said: "The success of the Preston operation marks a new chapter in our fight against car tax evasion. The new vans, combined with NCP’s national reach, mean we’re able to track down, impound and, potentially, crush untaxed vehicles quicker than ever before.

 

"We will be moving our work into the Bradford area in the months to come and the results of this operation should make it clear to everyone that there is no hiding place for car tax cheats."

 

 Notes to editors:

1. The results of the 2005 Roadside Survey revealed that there are an estimated 1.55m unlicensed vehicles in Great Britain. For 2005/2006, the estimated number of unlicensed vehicles in the Lancashire police force area was 37,200.
2. Members of the public can report unlicensed vehicles to DVLA online at www.direct.gov.uk/motoring or by ringing 08000 325 202.
3. For clamped vehicles the release fee is high - £80. In addition, a valid vehicle licence must be produced. If a licence cannot be produced, a surety (£120 for a car or motorcycle, up to £600 for other vehicles) must be paid before the vehicle can be released. The surety payment is forfeited if a valid tax disc is not produced within two weeks.
4. NCP was awarded a three-year contract to operate DVLA’s wheelclamping scheme, effective from 1 May 2006.
5. In addition to the national scheme, DVLA is able to authorise local authorities and police forces to wheel clamp and impound untaxed vehicles in their area.

 

For press enquiries relating to this notice please contact:

Ruth Thomas or Beth Lewis

0207 025 6500

Ruth.Thomas@redconsultancy.com

 

For general DVLA press enquiries please contact:

DVLA Press Office

01792 782318

press.dvla@gtnet.gov.uk

 

For details of opportunities to ride along in an ANPR clamping van contact: Tim Cowen or James Pritchard, NCP Communications 0207 290 234