MORE than 100 untaxed, unregistered or abandoned cars in Pendle have been targeted in a crackdown by the area's Community Safety Partnership.

Operation Peregrine has been set up to remove illegal cars across the borough to reduce arson in the run-up to bonfire night, as well as targeting cars which have been used in crime.

A hotline set up last week has already received 200 calls from residents demanding action be taken to clear cars.

The clean-up operation began on Monday, when action was taken against 50 vehicle owners, ranging from cars being wheel clamped and fixed penalty notices being issued to vehicles being impounded.

On Tuesday action was taken against another 70 vehicles and fixed point patrols were set up in Vivary Way, Colne, on Wednesday.

The Pendle Community Safety Partnership, made up of more than a dozen agencies, has joined forces with the DVLA to use Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology linked to mobile phones to identify target vehicles.

The technology, which attracted praise from Home Office Minister Hazel Blears on a visit to Blackburn, enables officials to check on car details.

The operation was the joint brainchild of PC Karen Isherwood, who is seconded to the Community Safety Partnership, and Station Officer Nick Isherwood, of the fire brigade.

PC Isherwood said: "I hope this is sending a strong message that if people do not tax and register their cars, action will be taken ."

Anybody wanting to report untaxed or abandoned vehicles can call the Operation Peregrine hotline 01282 661163.