More than 1,000 illegal vehicles taken off Hampshire’s roads
A small team of officers from the Roads Policing Unit has made a big impact in its first year by taking more than 1,000 unlicensed, uninsured or untaxed vehicles off the road.
The RPU’s Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) team based in the West of the county is made up of one sergeant and five officers.
This team – which covers Eastleigh, the New Forest, Test Valley and Southampton – has worked tirelessly over the past 12 months and has secured a total of 220 arrests.
The team has also taken more than 1,000 un-taxed or un-licensed vehicles off the roads of western Hampshire in the past year.
Officers can seize uninsured or unlicensed vehicles under section 165 of the Road Traffic Act. Since November last year they have also been given the power to seize untaxed vehicles.
Sergeant Julian Williams, who leads the team, said: “We really want to stamp out the anti-social use of vehicles because they are often used to assist with or carry out other crimes.
“We are keen to tackle travelling criminality and using the ANPR technology, we can stop potential criminals in their tracks.
“Often if they are using a stolen vehicle or don’t have a valid licence, tax or insurance, there are other criminal elements of their life which need to be disrupted.”
Can you help?
Anyone who knows someone who is driving illegally can contact Hampshire Constabulary on 101 or call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111. Mini-Com users can call 01962 875000. From outside Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, please call 0845 045 45 45.
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Vicky O'Hare
