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MORE than 10,000 drivers who have flouted road laws by driving without a valid driving licence or insurance, have had their vehicle seized by Hampshire Constabulary.

Since July 2005 the force has been using new powers under section 165 of the Road Traffic Act to prevent and detect criminality on roads across.

Before the new legislation was introduced, police forces across England and Wales had no powers to remove a vehicle from the highway if it was driven by an uninsured or unlicensed driver.

Now a driver can have their vehicle taken away, as well as being prosecuted for the original offence.

Once a vehicle has been seized, the owner or driver has 14 days in which to produce the correct documents at a police station and reclaim their vehicle or it will be sold or crushed.

If the correct documents are produced, the vehicle can be collected from the compound.

It will cost £105 to release the vehicle and an additional £12 per day holding charge for every day that the vehicle is impounded. This fee is set by government but is expected to increase later this year.

In 2005, 972 vehicles including cars, lorries, motorcycles and mini motos, were seized by the force.

In 2006 some 3,492 had been taken off the streets and last year, 4,059 were removed.

John Martin, Head of the constabulary's Contract Vehicle Recovery Scheme, said: "Unlicensed and uninsured drivers frequently cause distress and misery to others. Many of those who choose to drive without a licence or insurance are often found to be involved in other criminal activity.

"Those members of society who take a responsible attitude to licensing and insuring their cars will take some pleasure in knowing that the police will actively seek out those who choose not too and deprive them of their vehicles as well as prosecuting them for the offence.

"The power granted to police officers has been extremely effective and has been responsible for denying irresponsible drivers and criminals the use of the roads in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Up until the end of April this year the force has already seized 1,467 vehicles, including two Porsches, 26 BMWs, three Subaru Imprezas, and 14 Mercedes.

When the legislation was first used in 2005 around 43 per cent of vehicles were reclaimed after being seized. That figure has risen to around 57 per cent.

By the end of this year Hampshire Constabulary expects to have seized in excess of 4,500 vehicles.

9:00am Thursday 22nd May 2008

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