2:59am Tuesday 11th September 2007
By Emma Palmer
POLICE are seizing more than 100 vehicles a week from Essex motorists caught breaking the law.
Officers are successfully using powers given to them to combat uninsured and unqualified drivers.
Latest Essex Police figures show more than 4,000 vehicles were seized in Essex between January and August.
Police have roadside powers to take away vehicles and send them to the crusher, in certain circumstances.
Sgt Justin Smith, a member of the force's Automatic Number Plate Reader team, says the figures should give illegal drivers pause for thought.
"These figures are phenomenal," he said, "They reflect how my team and the other road policing units are working to make the roads safer.
"Driving illegally on our roads will not be tolerated.
"This legislation hits where it hurts, in the pocket, Motorists who are driving illegally should take notice if they don't want to risk losing their vehicles."
In the first eight months of this year, 4,023 vehicles were impounded. Almost half - 1,849 - have since been crushed.
The remaining 2,152 vehicles were either reclaimed by their owners once they had proved they had rendered them legal, or are still in a police pound.
It costs motorists hundreds of pounds to get cars back.
Sgt Smith's team uses the latest electronic scanning gear to check registration numbers of passing cars against licensing and insurance databases. High-powered intercept cars are then used to stop offending vehicles and detain the drivers.
Sgt Smith added: "The team was created to deny criminals the use of the roads.
"We are primarily on the lookout for known burglars, thieves and drug dealers.
"We are geared towards improving road safety as well as identifying cars which are used in organised crime."
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