Over 100 vehicles were seized in Derry during a week-long operation to get unlicensed vehicles and runabouts off the streets, it was announced today.
The zero-tolerance policy of the Police Service and the DVLNI to illegal vehicles on the roads has seen nearly 200 seized in two operations in Derry, 105 last week and 87 earlier in the year.
Inspector Trevor McKeown said the crack-down had been a great success and would go some way to alleviating problems experienced by many householders across the city.
"Seizing unlicensed vehicles continues to be an important issue on two fronts. In terms of road safety, vehicles that are not taxed often don't have an MOT certificate, are un-roadworthy, and are driven by people who have no driving license or no insurance," he said.
Inspector McKeown added: "In terms of anti-social behaviour, runabout cars have been used by criminals and by others to race through residential estates performing all manner of illegal driving manoeuvres on the roads, and on grassed areas, while seemingly oblivious to the nuisance they are creating, and with complete disregard for the safety and wishes of local families."
He said the operation demonstrated the police determination to tackle the problem head-on and urged local people to work with them by reporting the location of unlicensed vehicles.
DVLNI chief executive Brendan Magee said the zero-tolerance operation had been very successful and it was his intention to continue similar campaigns right across Northern Ireland on a regular basis.
"By detecting and removing untaxed cars, of which a high percentage are uninsured, such operations help fight crime, stop criminals and make the streets safer," he said.
PA