ANTI-social drivers in Pendle have been targeted by police as part of county-wide crime crackdown Operation Summer Nights.

Drink-drivers and others who use cars to commit crime, as well as drivers of substandard vehicles or those without a licence, insurance or MOT, were among those expected to be dealt with by the police, Vehicle & Operator Services Agency (VOSA), Customs and excise, DVLA, and the council, as part of a special swoop yesterday.

Staff from Lancashire Constabulary's Motorway Unit were drafted in to help carry out police patrols, monitor automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) systems, and to do stop checks and vehicle inspections. It was the first major road policing crackdown of its kind as part of this year's Operation Summer Nights, although police say it won't be the last more action against anti-social drivers is planned.

Inspector Phil Cottam of Lancashire Constabulary's Motorway Unit said: "Our unit is committed to supporting the Operation Summer Nights campaign both on the motorway network and by assisting divisions with targeted, high visibility, road policing operations.

"Our aim is clear. We will be working together with our partner agencies to rid the roads of anti-social drivers and therefore make the county a much safer place to travel around."

Nelson Police Inspector Jon Bullas added: "This road policing crackdown is just one a range of activities taking place across Pendle as part of Operation Summer Nights.

"Together with colleagues from specialist departments like the Motorway Unit, we will be doing all we can to ensure that crime levels and levels of anti-social behaviour remain low over the summer months."