AN Essex Police operation in which 130 uninsured vehicles were seized as part of Op Drive Insured was part of a national road safety initiative to target uninsured driving.

 Between 11 and 17 November, Roads Policing Unit (RPU) officers supported Operation Drive Insured, a national campaign to target uninsured driving through policing activities focussing on detecting and seizing uninsured vehicles using roads in Essex. 

Officers worked alongside force partners MIB (Motor Insurers' Bureau) who led the week-long campaign to get uninsured drivers off the roads. MIB supported operational activity via its enforcement services and running a public awareness campaign throughout the week. 

In just seven days, a total of 130 uninsured cars, vans and motorcycles, were seized as part of enforcement work.

In particular, the Roads Policing Unit were conducting patrols in the west of the county and held a static site at Thurrock on two days.

On Tuesday, 12 November, RPU officers seized 22 uninsured vehicles and reported six drivers for a variety of road offences, including no MOT.

And on Sunday, 17 November, RPU officers were joined by Southend Special Constables to carryout enforcement work, seizing a further 27 uninsured vehicles. Furthermore, the team issued over 50 traffic offence reports and arrested three people including a driver on suspicion of drug driving which shows that stopping an uninsured car can also identify other offences.

A statement from Essex Police says: "This multi-agency approach to the criminal use of our roads brings together a greater enforcement approach to tackling the issue that concerns our communities.

"Carrying out this vital work means that unsafe vehicles, those with no insurance, tax or MOT, and are the most dangerous on our roads, are seized by officers to ensure road safety for all.

"Together, Essex Police and MIB are committed to reducing uninsured driving, and here in Essex, our dedicated RPU officers have seized 3,089 uninsured vehicles in the first nine months of this year.

"In September, the monthly number of seized vehicles peaked at a staggering 406 vehicles, the highest month on record.

"However, we're not complacent and know that this issue continues and that there are more uninsured vehicles, whether its vans, cars or motorbikes, that will be travelling across and through our county, putting other road users at risk."