Northumbria Police seize thousands of vehicles each year – here’s the most common reason
Police figures have revealed that thousands of vehicles are seized each year and that motorists without insurance or a driving licence are the biggest reason.
Data from a Freedom of Information Act request has revealed that the biggest reason for motor vehicle seizures is rule breakers using them without insurance or a driving licence.
The figures revealed that in 2018, 7,903 vehicles were confiscated by Northumbria Police.
Of that, 2,903 were seized under section 165 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, which gives police the power to impound any vehicle that is being driven without a valid insurance policy or where the driver does not hold a valid driving licence.
After that, 2,097 vehicles involved in road traffic collisions were taken by the force, and another 404 were taken because they fell into the “owner nominated” category.
Meanwhile, 31 vehicles involved in fatal road traffic collisions were also seized.
A further 983 were confiscated because they were stolen or suspected to be stolen.
In the same year, 437 vehicles used in crime were impounded, with another 65 taken for evidence, and 64 were seized because of anti-social behaviour.
Under section 99 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, police officers have the power to remove vehicles illegally, obstructively or dangerously parked, or abandoned or broken down.
In 2018, 673 vehicles were removed for that reason along with another 246 reported abandoned by local councils.
In 2019, a total of 8,011 vehicles were confiscated by the police, with 2,752 of those because they were driven without insurance or a licence.
Meanwhile 2,159 vehicles involved in road traffic collisions were impounded, and another 444 classed as “owner nominated”, and 48 vehicles involved in fatal crashes were confiscated.
Also seized were 773 abandoned vehicles and 147 reported as dumped by local councils.
Furthermore, 1,022 vehicles that were stolen or suspected to be stolen were taken away by police, as well as 472 used in crime, 131 were requisitioned to be used as evidence.
Finally, 63 vehicles linked to anti-social behaviour were seized.
Last year, police seized a total of 8,390 vehicles with 3,662 of those taken because of a lack of insurance or driving licence.
A total of 1,755 vehicles involved in road traffic collisions were impounded, with another 231 classed as “owner nominated”, and 46 vehicles involved in fatal crashes were confiscated.
Also seized were 791 abandoned vehicles and 165 reported as dumped by local councils.
Furthermore, 916 vehicles that were stolen or suspected as stolen were seized, along with 626 used in crime and 121 vehicles were requisitioned to be used as evidence.
Lastly, 77 vehicles used in anti-social behaviour were seized.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said uninsured vehicles are seized and impounded by a third party.
The owner of the vehicle can retrieve the vehicle once they have secured the appropriate insurance but they must pay the impound fees to release it.
If they do not submit the appropriate documentation then the car will either be destroyed, or sold at auction with the profits going back in to policing.
Chief Inspector Ian Cutty, of Northumbria Police’s Motor Patrols Department, added: “There is no excuse to get behind the wheel with no insurance and ultimately it is a criminal offence.
“If you are involved in a collision then it can leave the damaged party thousands of pounds out of pocket through no fault of their own.
“We also find that many of the uninsured vehicles we seize are linked to other forms of criminality whether that be drugs supply or organised crime.
“By seizing these vehicles we can disrupt these groups and help make our roads, and the wider community, a safer place for the residents who call it home.
“We make no apology for seizing uninsured vehicles and will continue to proactively target those drivers who get behind the wheel without paying for cover.”