Police target criminals using the road networks

On Wednesday 4 July, a high profile police operation targeted people using the road networks to go about their illegal activities.

State-of-the-art mobile automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems were used to detect and remove serious criminals, unsafe vehicles and unsafe drivers from the roads.

The one day operation involved more than 100 officers from across the Force, including the tactical aid and roads policing units and specially trained dogs will be used to detect cash, drugs and firearms.

Superintendent Craig Thompson from GMP’s Specialist Operations Branch said: "The main focus of the operation is to disrupt criminals using the roads in Greater Manchester. There is a strong link between the illegal use of vehicles and criminality so by denying them from using the roads we are better placed to detect crime, which is a main priority for us.

“People that do not have valid tax, insurance or MOT certificates will have their car seized. By impounding illegal vehicles we are making the roads safer and making a step to ensuring that law-abiding motorists are not inconvenienced as they go about their daily business.”

Uninsured drivers are nine times more likely to have been convicted of drink driving and six times more likely to have been convicted of driving un-roadworthy vehicles. They are also more likely to be involved in road traffic accidents and are to blame for increasing insurance premiums by up to £30 for each motorist.

People can contact police with information on 101, the new national non-emergency number.

Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity that will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.