Police have seized 15 vehicles near Lichfield as part of a national operation.

Staffordshire officers joined others across the country for the national day of action on March 12 to remove serious criminals and unsafe drivers from the roads.

Using the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system, police targeted the A38 and A5 routes at Bassetts Pole, Clay Mills and Weeford.

Fifteen vehicles were seized for being uninsured, while 25 fixed penalty notices were issued for offences including driving without insurance, tax or MOT and having illegal number plates. Nine motorists were also reported for driving without the relevant documents.

Sergeant Stephen Holt, from the force’s Road Crime Team, said:

“The national day of action came hot on the heels of recent successful ANPR operations on March 2. ANPR has proved a valuable resource in Staffordshire in disrupting criminal activity and catching serious offenders. There are strong links between illegal use of vehicles and other types of serious crime.

“ANPR teams offer a highly visible and effective form of policing, denying criminals the use of the roads and increasing safety for other motorists.”

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