A GET-TOUGH policy resulted in more than 3,600 road tax evaders getting on the right side of the law and brought in almost £340,000 in payments.

The figures for Lancashire were announced after police and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency joined forces for a month-long crackdown during September.

A further 1,360 motorists were reported for prosecution after failing to heed the warnings about having a valid tax disc.

An estimated 36,000 motorists in Lancashire, including 11,700 in the east of the county, were believed to be driving without a current tax disc at the start of the campaign.

The project began with a two-week publicity drive aimed at encouraging people to tax their vehicles before police began a strict enforcement of the regulations. Now it has been revealed that 3,626 vehicles which were untaxed before the campaign are now licensed, generating £337,000 in revenue.

Police fear many vehicles are not taxed because the owners have no insurance and MOT certificate, creating road safety problems.

But offenders face a fine of up to £1,000 for a private car or motorcycle and up to £25,000 for a heavy goods vehicle.

The crackdown on tax dodgers was also carried out in Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside.

A spokesman for the DVLA thanked the forces for their co-operation with the initiative.

He added: "The campaign programme compliments the day to day enforcement action of the agency and the police and shows their determination to see that dishonest motorists are made to pay their way.

"Any motorist who thinks it is worth the risk to run an untaxed vehicle should think again."

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