Police send seized cars to crusher

6:00pm Monday 11th June 2007

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A CRACKDOWN on uninsured drivers has seen 15 cars reduced to cubes of scrap metal after they were towed away and crushed by Ilford police.

Operation Reclaim has seen more than 70 vehicles seized by police in Redbridge using automatic number plate recognition technology to determine whether a driver is insured.

Cars seized in the joint operation with Redbridge Council, have been taken to a breakers yard in Tottenham and the owners given two weeks to reclaim them if they want to save them from the crusher.

Ilford police Inspector Tony Gowen said: "We are working very closely with Redbridge Council and a removal contractor to ensure that no vehicle is allowed back on the road until the driver has all the correct documentation."

Uninsured drivers have received a £200 Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN), a £125 removal charge, and six points on their licence. They must also pay a £15 a day storage charge before their car is released.

Insp Gowan said that those who drive without insurance are often found to be committing other crimes and that in the most recent operation on June 7, of the 69 drivers stopped, 29 were reported for other offences.

Redbridge council cabinet member for community safety, Cllr Mark Aaron said: "If certain individuals decide to drive their vehicles without insurance then I have no sympathy when their vehicle is seized and possibly crushed.

"This partnership approach with the police is helping to cut down on car crime and is making Redbridge a safer place for everyone who drives within the borough."

Insp Gowen added that they expected to continue the operations indefinitely.