Police clampdown reveals 10pc of driver uninsured

Insurance industry sources had previously suggested that in some parts of Bradford about half of motorists were uninsured but that figure has been rejected by West Yorkshire Police Chief Superintendent Allan Doherty.

Mr Doherty described the 50 per cent claim as "inaccurate and unhelpful" but said the realist figure of between six and 10 per cent represented a significant number of vehicles.

He was speaking in the aftermath of a crackdown on car criminals, including uninsured drivers, across Bradford and Keighley.

Some 26 people were arrested for offences including car theft, disqualified driving, possessing drugs and drink driving. Four stolen vehicles were also recovered.

Almost 500 motorists were dealt with for other offences such as using mobile phones, having no MoT or not wearing seatbelts.

Of 1,500 vehicles stopped in five-day period in December, just over 100 were seized because they were not insured.

All 101 drivers caught without insurance will now be prosecuted in the courts, said Mr Doherty. "These figures dispel a myth," he said. "The claim of 50 per cent without insurance is inaccurate and misleading. I would say it is between six per cent and 10 per cent, but even this is too many."

Among the cars seized were older models of Citroens and Vauxhalls but also an Audi Q7 worth at least 25,000.

The crackdown marked the switch-on of a 300,000 network of 85 Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, which can spot suspicious and uninsured vehicles in seconds.

Once spotted, the nearest police unit is alerted and sent to intercept the suspect vehicle.

The ANPR network is backed up with hundreds of CCTV cameras across Bradford and Keighley which also gives police a photograph of the car and its driver.

Leader of Bradford Council Coun Kris Hopkins said: "Chief Superintendent Doherty and his officers deserve immense credit for their efforts and for achieving quite incredible results.

"This week-long operation was held to highlight the launch of the revamped ANPR system which the council is pleased to have supported financially.

"The new cameras will continue to serve local residents by assisting the police in their fight against criminality."

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