FYLDE car tax dodgers could face losing their vehicles under a new clampdown by the police and the DVLA.

Under the scheme - part of Operation Arrival IV - motorists who fail to display a current vehicle excise licence face having their car clamped or removed from the road.

Owners of a clamped vehicle must pay a fee of £68 and produce a current tax disc or £100 surety. Motorists who have their cars removed then face a £135 fee plus £12 per day storage costs and will have their vehicles crushed if it is not reclaimed in 35 days.

More than 130 vehicles have been reported so far with a further 140 being taken off the road.

Chief Inspector Warren Turner said: "The message is quite clear - register and tax your vehicle or lose it.

"People who commit crime tend to be the same people who avoid paying car tax and do not have vehicle documents.

"The operation has been an excellent tactic in disrupting criminal activity and has met with a good public response with a lot of people telephoning us because they hate tax dodgers getting away with it.

"People can be reassured the police and DVLA will continue to fight the war against tax dodgers."

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