Police target rogue motorists

An ANPR check

Police in Heywood have spent a day targeting rogue motorists.

Using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) devices, they identified four vehicles on Queens Park Road that were either untaxed, uninsured or did not have a valid MOT.
Another motorist was arrested and had their vehicle seized for disqualified driving and not having insurance, while 11 fixed penalties were issued to drivers who weren’t wearing seat belts and 15 warnings given for minor traffic offences.

Three vehicles were also identified as having defects and the owners were ordered to have these repaired within a set time to make them roadworthy again.

Two people were summonsed for illegally using red diesel which cannot be used on public highways, and bailiffs used ANPR kits to issue two warrants for non-payment of fines.

Officers were joined on the day (Friday 15 April 2011) by the Marston Debt Recovery Group and a Fuel Enforcement Team.

Inspector Steve Clarke of the Heywood Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “ANPR is a powerful tool against a whole range of crimes.

“Not only is it an offence to drive without valid tax, insurance or MOT, but research shows that many vehicles driven without proper documentation are likely to be used in criminal activity.

“By impounding vehicles we can disrupt, and in some cases detect, illegal activity, which makes life more difficult for criminals.”