TWENTY-FOUR cars have been scrapped as a result of a North Yorkshire Police campaign clamping down on car tax dodgers.

The Uninsured Drivers Scheme ensures that drivers strongly suspected of being uninsured are prevented from driving vehicles on the road.

In the first two weeks of the scheme, about 50 vehicles were recovered. Of these, 24 owners have signed immediate disclaimers and their vehicles have been destroyed. The other 26 are pending collection.

Additionally, it was believed that many criminals use uninsured vehicles to commit crime. Police forces estimate that about 23 per cent of all crime may be committed by traveling criminals.

Officers dealing with uninsured drivers arrange to have the vehicle taken to a garage and owners are only able to recover their vehicle after producing valid driving documentation, including insurance, and by paying all recovery and storage costs.

Owners can sign disclaimers for immediate disposal of their vehicles should they wish to avoid paying these costs.

Otherwise, they are given 14 days in which to comply with the policy and collect their vehicle.

Failure to do so results in the disposal of the vehicle in addition to prosecution for all offences committed.

The scheme has been designed to combat the ever-increasing number of uninsured drivers on the roads, estimated to be costing legal drivers about £250 million annually in higher premiums.

The scheme reinforces the commitment of North Yorkshire Police to reducing crime, increasing detection rates and disrupting criminal activity.

More than 65 per cent of drivers stopped under the scheme were found to have previous criminal convictions.

In August, the Evening Press reported on Operation Chevron, a joint roadside sting in the Tang Hall area of York involving North Yorkshire Police and the DVLA.

As a result of this operation, six people were arrested for a range of offences including a 15-year-old boy who was caught at the wheel of a Ford Escort.

Chief Constable Della Cannings said: "Uninsured drivers are a menace on our roads and an affront to all lawful road users.

"Practical experience has shown that many of these people who are willing to put others at risk by driving without insurance have previously been in trouble with the police, so this scheme not only tackles the issue of motoring offences, it also targets travelling criminals, I see it as a huge step forward and expect it to be very successful."

Updated: 10:48 Saturday, October 16, 2004