Cars seized in police crackdown

Five people were arrested and more than 30 uninsured cars taken off the roads yesterday during a police crackdown across Greater Manchester.

The operation involved more than 60 Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, which are used to detect serious criminals, unsafe vehicles and unsafe drivers.

More than 150 police officers were involved in the GMP operation between 3 and 11.00pm.

The cameras scan vehicle registrations and check them against information stored on the Police National Computer (PNC) and other databases, alerting officers to suspicious vehicles.

Officers intercepted 87 vehicles and seized 31 cars that were being driven without insurance. Three people were arrested on suspicion of possessing cannabis with intent to supply, two were arrested for driving while disqualified, one of whom was also arrested for driving with excess alcohol.

Three people received cautions for possessing cannabis, one person was issued with a fixed-penalty notice and one person was issued with a summons.

Superintendent Craig Thompson, from GMP Specialist Operations Branch, said: “Many criminals rely on vehicles to commit crime and by denying them use of the roads we are better placed to prevent and detect crime.

“We know there is a strong link between illegal use of motor vehicles and other types of serious crime and ANPR cameras are an invaluable tool in our fight against committed criminals and organised crime groups.

“The message to those who flout the rules of the road or who use our highways in the pursuit of crime is simple – we will use all the equipment available to us to identify you and bring you to justice.”