‘Cars behind bars’ targets uninsured drivers in Staffordshire

More than 3,750 vehicles have been seized by Staffordshire Police during a landmark crackdown on car insurance dodgers.

‘Cars Behind Bars’ was instigated by Staffordshire police and crime commissioner Matthew Ellis and has proved popular with people across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

The campaign carried out by Staffordshire Police has seen 3,772 cars, vans, motorcycles, mopeds, lorries and even a tractor seized – with more than 1,200 vehicles scrapped – since it was launched nearly two years ago.

More than 70 higher-value uninsured vehicles have been sold off at auction with the proceeds going back into local communities in Staffordshire.

The number of car insurance dodgers in Staffordshire is being driven down as the crackdown gathers pace. Annual figures released by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau show there were an estimated 1,214 fewer uninsured vehicles on the road in Staffordshire in 2014 compared to 2013.

Mr Ellis said: “The crackdown on insurance dodgers remains far and away the most popular thing raised with me by people I’ve spoken to across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.”

He said the campaign has gained momentum in recent months, adding: “It’s definitely struck a chord with law-abiding motorists who are hit by rising premiums because of these law-breakers.”

Cars Behind Bars uses Staffordshire’s extensive automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system.

Staffordshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Jon Drake said: “Thanks to Staffordshire’s extensive ANPR network system we are able to identify vehicles that are uninsured, as well as those that have no tax or are suspected of being involved in other crimes. We are committed to this area of policing and on a daily basis our officers seek out and target those committing these offences.”